How common is the hacking of secure wifi?

WI FI is a commonly used method of wirelessly connecting to the Internet, it was originally designed for use with laptops and mobile phone, but has become increasingly popular with desktop computer users due to the lack of cables and cheap installation costs.

The main disadvantage with WiFi is that it can be easily hacked into. The most common form of encryption for WiFi can be simply hacked even when configured properly.

Many hackers use a process referred to as ‘war driving’ or ‘war walking’, whereby a person walks or drives around an area looking for wireless networks to hack into.

Using these methods, a hacker can "steal" the use of another person's Internet connection and see their files with ease. A great number of hackers also use this form of hacking when breaking into other peoples secure access files, as the connection can be harder to trace back to them as it is wireless and in another person's name. This type of hacking can be serious if companies that hold important files use WiFi, as a hacker could easily access the sensitive information inside in the files.

How can I protect myself?

If you must use WiFi to connect to the Internet, then it’s advisable to use the most secure wireless connection encryption type available. WPA keys are far more secure than WEP Keys, which can be hacked with ease in just a matter of minutes!  

If you’re using WPA with a pre-shared key, be sure to use a <a href=” http://www.infosecurity-us.com/blog/2009/10/6/your-password-isnt-safe--take-this-simple-test-to-find-out-how-many-minutes-it-would-take-to-crack/26.aspx”> good password</a>, as many hackers will use ‘dictionary attacks’ and other password cracking tools to target commonly used passwords.

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