GetNetWise Spotlight on Wireless Security
Consumers are striving to enhance their productivity in both their personal and professional lives. More and more they are turning to wireless technology for daily use in or outside of the home or office. Wireless devices provide mobility for wireless enabled devices such as laptops, smartphones, and PDAs. The GetNetWise Spotlight on Wireless Security will address issues surrounding mobile security, wireless home networking and public Wi-Fi use.
Using Your Computer Wirelessly (WiFi)
More and more consumers and small businesses are installing wireless networks to extend the reach of their Internet connection within the home or office. In many cases the broadcast signal will extend beyond your space and will be accessible to others (neighbors or strangers). These networks are made possible by hardware devices called base stations, or wireless routers, that use a wireless technology to broadcast an Internet connection around the physical space. This technology is often referred to as WiFi or as its technical specification number, 802.11. An area that is enveloped by a WiFi broadcast is often called a "Hot Spot." You can find and access public hot spots at your local coffee house, fast food restauraunt or public park.
Consumers and small businesses alike should take basic security precautions when using WiFi -- at home, in the office or at a public hot spot. If you have created your own hot spot or wireless network, this section will show you how to activate the many security settings on your basestation. This section also discusses how to use public hot spots more securely and how to prevent the physical loss of a laptop or handheld. [More].
Smart Phones and PDAs
The deployment of wireless mobile devices -- including personal digital assistants (PDAs) such as Palmtops and BlackBerrys, cell phones, and smartphones -- is growing faster than the Internet. The number of smartphones worldwide, for example, is expected to reach 49 million by the end of the year (a 150 percent increase over 2004), and nearly 130 million by the end of 2008, according to IDC. Coming soon from the Wireless Security Initiative is a detailed discussion of security basics for smart phones, PDAs and other devices. This section will cover new security risks such as bluejacking, bluesnarfing, SMS flood attacks, and more. In the meantime, here are a few samples of the content we are preparing for this section [More].
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We have created several step-by-step instructional videos that will help you secure your wireless connection quickly and easily. These tools, which are just a preview of a larger module on wireless security, will help you make your wireless experiences stress-free.
