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Wireless internet networks in millions of homes can be hacked in less than five seconds, a study claims today.
The wi-fi hacking means criminals can spy on the activities of families, perhaps stealing their identity and banking details to raid their accounts.
The hackers could also use the wi-fi access to tap into illegal pornography or upload and download stolen music and movies without being traced.
An ‘ethical hacking’ experiment in six cities, using freely available software, found almost 40,000 home wi-fi networks at high risk.
Separately, there are concerns about the security of those who use free wi-fi networks offered by coffee shops and other businesses.
The study, commissioned by card protection and insurance firm CPP, highlights a ‘cavalier’ attitude to keeping data safe.
According to the findings, nearly a quarter of private wireless networks has no password attached, making them immediately accessible to criminals. This is despite 82 per cent of Britons thinking their network is secure.
The report also found that hackers were able to ‘harvest’ usernames and passwords from unsuspecting people at a rate of more than 350 an hour, sitting in coffee shops and restaurants.
Nearly a fifth of wireless users say they regularly use public networks.
CPP fraud expert Michael Lynch, said: ‘We urge all wi-fi users to remember that any information they volunteer through public networks can easily be visible to hackers.’
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Tags: flexible working, Hacking, Information leaks, Internet security advice, self-employment, technology, Wi-Fi
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October 17th, 2010 at 2:02 pmjoghn Marsden says:
I too found that my wifi had been hacked into by using a WEP security code generated by my router. I changed to a WPA version generated by myself and so far it has not occurred again. This info was given to me by a router manufacturer.