WLAN

10 golden rules of using public WIFI

Submitted by Kai on Wed, 2008-12-17 11:34.
In this article David Hobson from Global Secure Systems, looks at the top 10 golden rules that you should adhere to in order to stay safe on line when using a public WiFi connection. Thank you David!

Access to the Internet via public “hotspots” is growing and will continue to grow as more and more hotspots are made available. We have McDonalds offering free Internet access and even Boris Johnson proposing that London becomes a WiFi city, with free WiFi, following the likes of Norwich!

This free bandwidth does come with an element of risk. Once you are associated to an access point, you are on the same network as others connected to the same access point, in the same way as plugging into the same network segment. A simple network discovery will show who else is connected....and from there an unscrupulous user could try and access your machine. This may not be deliberate - a Trojan may automatically be scanning in the background for, and trying to infect other machines. In addition to the possibility of direct attack, your data is probably going to be “clear text” – not encrypted.

So what are issues we face when using public ‘hotspots’?

1)    Clear text data – by its very nature a hotspot will not have any encryption or security on it. It is there to enable as many people as possible to connect, as easily as possible. To offer a pre-shared security key is impractical, and the more people have a key, the less valuable a key is.

What does this mean? Well if you are sending email, someone on that network will be able to see, and read that data. It is a bit like handing a postcard over a post office counter. Everyone in the post office can read it. So you really would not write anything confidential on it. To say “Hi, having a wonderful time, wish you were here” is not exactly top secret. You may not want to put all your credit card information on it!

2)    Most web traffic is, by its very nature clear text. Most web sites will switch to secure, encrypted HTTPS traffic when doing commercial transactions. Web mail is normally in the clear...How can you tell if you have changed? Look for the little padlock in your browser!

3)    If you are using business email, we strongly recommend using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) between you and the business mail server. This should be provided by the business. This normally is a security overlay on your traffic. This will encrypt data and ensure no eaves droppers read it.

4)    Your PC needs to have a personal firewall installed, and switched on. A basic firewall is provided within Windows now. Use it! This stops unauthorised access on to the PC.

5)    Many businesses will add an additional personal firewall. The clever ones will actually change the policy based upon your location, which will control the flow of data in and out of your PC in accordance with your policy.

6)    Ensure your anti-virus software is installed, up-to-date and working! This will defend against known virus or Trojan attacks.

7)    Turn off ad-hoc networking – WiFi has two methods of working – ad hoc and infrastructure. Infrastructure is when your PC connects to an Access Point, and then on to a wired network. Ad-hoc is when two PC’s communicate to each other directly without an Access Point. You really should ensure no one can network directly, unless there is a specific reason!

8)    Shoulder surfing. Always be aware who is watching you. Don’t sit with your back to a crowd or window inviting unwanted snoopers to see you type your password or read your documents.

9)    Think about the length of time you are connected. As a precaution, prepare messages off line and only connect to send and receive. This will reduce the window of opportunity for someone to capture your data.

10)    Lastly, when accessing a hot spot be aware of hot spot high jacking. This is when a fake access point is used to fool you into connecting to it. It will record all traffic from your system. This type of attack is mainly used in internet cafes since access is open. Always try and make sure you connect to genuine access points.

For more information on security and WiFi visit www.gss.co.uk


Welcoming Stepstone IT CEO Blog

Submitted by Kai on Thu, 2008-11-13 07:16.
Yes, I admit it. I am an addict to myself. Or at least my blogs and sites linking to me. So when someone links to me, I usually get a notice (using Snarfer), and I usually take a look (unless I know the source to be one of the harvesting sites out there).

No change with that this morning, so I head out to the blogosphere enjoying the attention I get. Yes, I like attention. Had not noticed, had you?

And surely enough, a link back to my blog showed up. This time, the link comes from the Stepstone IT CEO Blog, which seems to be fairly new. Not only does Nauman Kuraishi link to my post on WIFI security in his first post - something I enjoy very much on its own.

He goes beyond. He mention my post in the same sentence as he links to Wired and BBC. And he says these sites offer some:

"... interesting information on the state of wireless security ..."

I am bewildered. I am honored. And I am very happy.

On a sidenote, this happens the same week as I am introduced as the Information Security GURU (!!!!!) at the Norwegian school of Management (BI). What a week!

The TJX case goes to court

Submitted by Kai on Thu, 2008-08-07 07:48.
The TJX case, one of the largest ID- and CC-theft cases so far, has finally gone to court.

The Feds rolled up a large, international circle of criminals who are charged for hacking their way to access a wide array of personal data. According to Attorney General Michael Mukasey, this is the single largest and most complex identity theft case that's ever been charged in the US.

Companies that got hacked include major brands like the OfficeMax, Barnes & Noble, Boston Market, Sports Authority, Forever 21, DSW, BJ's Wholesale Club and TJX Companies.

"They used sophisticated computer hacking techniques that would allow them to breach security systems and then install computer programs that gathered enormous quantities of personal financial data, which they then allegedly either sold to others or used themselves," Mukasey said. "They caused widespread losses by banks, retailers and customers."

The TJX Senior Vice President Sherry Lang ensures that TJX has gone a long way in order to assist the investigation:

"With our customers always being our primary focus, TJX has gone to great lengths to secure its customers' data," Lang said. "However, broader action beyond retailers alone is required to protect consumer data. Banks and the U.S. payment card industry must join retailers and work together, including installing the proven card security measures in the U.S. that are already in use throughout much of the rest of the world."

I like Lang's request - there is no doubt in my mind that the more we integrate and consolidate technology, solutions and tools - into what we consider efficient communication - the easier it is to exploit those tools. Remember - a few years back, you had to hack into each shop. A little later, you could reach the HQ, as the shops started to interconnect. Today, you can reach almost anything, anywhere - just using your brains and a computer.

Compliance is one thing that may help, better understanding of the technology and it's potential is equally important. From a business point of view, I think it is very important to consider the upside of adopting new (young) technology against the potential damage the new technology may inflict.

I am looking forward to following this case!

Other TJX related information




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