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kinkydan
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Joined: 24 Nov 2020 |
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Location: United Kingdom |
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Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2021 3:56 pm |
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Chuck all your WiFi-related news stories in here!
BBC: 'Evil twin' fear for wireless net
People using wireless high-speed net (wi-fi) are being warned about fake hotspots, or access points. The latest threat, nicknamed evil twins, pose as real hotspots but are actually unauthorised base stations, say Cranfield University experts. Once logged onto an Evil Twin, sensitive data can be intercepted.
Wi-fi is becoming popular as more devices come with wireless capability. London leads the global wi-fi hotspots league, with more than 1,000. The number of hotspots is expected to reach 200,000 by 2008, according to analysts.
"Users need to be wary of using their wi-fi enabled laptops or other portable devices in order to conduct financial transactions or anything that is of a sensitive or personal nature," said Professor Brian Collins, head of information systems at Cranfield University.
Twin threats
"Users can also protect themselves by ensuring that their wi-fi device has its security measures activated," he added. In the vast majority of cases, base stations straight out of the box from the manufacturers are automatically set up with the least secure mode possible, he added.
Cybercriminals who try to glean personal information using the scam, jam connections to a legitimate base station by sending a stronger signal near to the wireless client. Anyone with the right gear can find a real hotspot and substitute it with an evil twin. "Cybercriminals don't have to be that clever to carry out such an attack," said Dr Phil Nobles, a wireless net and cybercrime expert at Cranfield. "Because wireless networks are based on radio signals they can be easily detected by unauthorised users tuning into the same frequency."
Although wi-fi is increasing in popularity as more people want to use high-speed net on the move, there have been fears over how secure it is. Some companies have been reluctant to use them in large numbers because of fears about security. A wireless network that is not protected can provide a backdoor into a company's computer system.
Public wi-fi hotspots offered by companies like BT Openzone and The Cloud, are accessible after users sign up and pay for use. But many home and company wi-fi networks are left unprotected and can be "sniffed out" and hi-jacked by anyone with the correct equipment.
Dr Nobles is due to speak about wireless cybercrime at the Science Museum's Dana Centre in London on Thursday.
TOP 10 WI-FI COUNTRIES FOR HOTSPOTS
United States 22,081
United Kingdom 9,356
Germany 5,713
France 3,239
Japan 2,197
Switzerland 1,311
Italy 1,111
Spain 1,073
Canada 826
Australia 800
Source: Jiwire
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