WIFI Security
JOPLIN, MO.--- For most people, like Missouri Southern Student Ryan Dodson, using WIFI is just part of life in the 21st century.
Ryan says, "Ability to access the internet wherever you are."
Wireless internet has another important benefit, especially to your pocketbook.
Ryan says, "You can save on a data plan."
There's no doubt there are many positives to WIFI. As with any good thing, there's always a downside. Identity thieves and hackers are waiting, especially in public places, for you to make the wrong move on a system that can be an open book.
Molly Shumaker says, "Burglars can get into your house even if you have a security system. So, even the best computer can't keep the hackers out."
MSSU student Molly Shumaker says her parents taught her well about the pitfalls of using the web, especially WIFI.
Molly says, "You don't want to give out your personal information. You don't want to use credit card numbers. Make sure you have security plans in place."
Steven Haenchen is a computer sciences professor at Pittsburg State University. He's a wireless internet expert and knows of the dangers first hand.
Haenchen says, "I've had my own Hotmail account broken into a couple times because somebody was able to get my username and password."
He says it's relatively simple for cyber criminals to hack into programs like Hotmail because they are unencrypted. The software needed to do it is legal to get and legal to use. What you do with it may not be.
Haenchen says, "All I could do is take my laptop here and use one of these pieces of software that I can get for free off of the internet, and I can look at every packet that's going through the air and I can read it."
That can potentially leave you open to identity theft because hackers could gain access to usernames and passwords linked to your most sensitive information.
Haenchen says, "When you're in hotspots or places people can get it, just don't do your banking."
Public places aren't the only dangerous locations. Your home WIFI is just as vulnerable and the software will do the work for hackers.
Haenchen says, "If I'm sitting in the apartment next to your apartment, and I want to figure it out, I just turn on my computer and walk away for a while."
All they have to do is decipher your router's key number and they're in. There is one important thing you can do reduce the risk, keep on top of changing your passwords.
Haenchen says, "It's a lot of work, but if every month, you would sit down and go through your passwords and change everyone of them to something new, you would have much better security."
Very good advice for college student Ryan who's admittedly a little lax when it comes to WIFI security.
Ryan says, "I'm probably not as worried as I should be."
Here are a few more things you can do to protect yourself. Only use sites that start with https. Do your banking at home where it's less likely you'll get hacked. Buy a router for your home system that has an encryption between the router itself and your computer.
Ryan says, "Ability to access the internet wherever you are."
Wireless internet has another important benefit, especially to your pocketbook.
Ryan says, "You can save on a data plan."
There's no doubt there are many positives to WIFI. As with any good thing, there's always a downside. Identity thieves and hackers are waiting, especially in public places, for you to make the wrong move on a system that can be an open book.
Molly Shumaker says, "Burglars can get into your house even if you have a security system. So, even the best computer can't keep the hackers out."
MSSU student Molly Shumaker says her parents taught her well about the pitfalls of using the web, especially WIFI.
Molly says, "You don't want to give out your personal information. You don't want to use credit card numbers. Make sure you have security plans in place."
Steven Haenchen is a computer sciences professor at Pittsburg State University. He's a wireless internet expert and knows of the dangers first hand.
Haenchen says, "I've had my own Hotmail account broken into a couple times because somebody was able to get my username and password."
He says it's relatively simple for cyber criminals to hack into programs like Hotmail because they are unencrypted. The software needed to do it is legal to get and legal to use. What you do with it may not be.
Haenchen says, "All I could do is take my laptop here and use one of these pieces of software that I can get for free off of the internet, and I can look at every packet that's going through the air and I can read it."
That can potentially leave you open to identity theft because hackers could gain access to usernames and passwords linked to your most sensitive information.
Haenchen says, "When you're in hotspots or places people can get it, just don't do your banking."
Public places aren't the only dangerous locations. Your home WIFI is just as vulnerable and the software will do the work for hackers.
Haenchen says, "If I'm sitting in the apartment next to your apartment, and I want to figure it out, I just turn on my computer and walk away for a while."
All they have to do is decipher your router's key number and they're in. There is one important thing you can do reduce the risk, keep on top of changing your passwords.
Haenchen says, "It's a lot of work, but if every month, you would sit down and go through your passwords and change everyone of them to something new, you would have much better security."
Very good advice for college student Ryan who's admittedly a little lax when it comes to WIFI security.
Ryan says, "I'm probably not as worried as I should be."
Here are a few more things you can do to protect yourself. Only use sites that start with https. Do your banking at home where it's less likely you'll get hacked. Buy a router for your home system that has an encryption between the router itself and your computer.
