| With the ever increasing popularity of wireless internet | | | | much more. |
| connections, individuals are now often connecting to | | | | A common technique used by identity thieves is |
| unsecured Wi-Fi networks to surf the net instead of | | | | known as the 'Middle Man' attack. This involves the |
| paying for their own accounts. Although jumping on | | | | thief/hacker trying to fool the unprotected router into |
| somebody else's connection doesn't seem like the | | | | feeding all information through the hackers computer. |
| crime of the century, the consequences can be very | | | | They can then simply snatch the data they want as |
| serious. When you connect to somebody else's | | | | the info flows through their PC or laptop. Again this |
| account, you automatically open up your PC or laptop | | | | includes sensitive data such as passwords, logins and |
| and your personal information stored on it. This could | | | | account numbers. |
| actually be what the identity thief wants you to do! | | | | How Can I Prevent This? |
| Why Would The Hacker Want Me To Connect? | | | | However don't panic just yet! There is a very simple |
| The Wi-Fi account holder could be intentionally allowing | | | | but effective method we can all use to help avoid |
| you access to his/her wireless connection so that they | | | | identity theft from Wi-Fi hackers. Your most effective |
| can harvest data direct from your computer. By | | | | defensive strategy against all types of hacking is to |
| setting up a proxy server and using it to capture your | | | | simply ensure you are never connected to a wireless |
| information. This may sounds quite technical and | | | | network that does not have a password protection. If |
| involved, but to a hacker this is an easy way they can | | | | you are setting up your own network, enable the |
| steal all kinds of private details such as bank account | | | | password protection and make a note of it. You will |
| logins, passwords and browsing habits. | | | | need this at a later date if you decide to access the |
| On the other hand, there is also a danger for the | | | | connection with more computers in your home. |
| account holder. Perhaps the Wi-Fi account holder has | | | | Additionally, as always, an up to date Anti-Virus and |
| simply forgot to password protect his network, or | | | | active Firewall will work very well in tandem to keep |
| doesn't feel it's necessary? This is a bad move. In this | | | | thieves out. This three tiered security set up to protect |
| situation a hacker may piggyback the connection and | | | | your computer, the personal information stored on it, |
| commit illegal activities such as download music and | | | | and help you avoid identity theft. |
| movies, view banned sites or hack into secure | | | | But don't forget Windows Automatic Updates too! |
| accounts. By law, the account holder will be liable for | | | | Once you have your anti-virus installed and running |
| any infringement or crime as it will be traced to them | | | | you're safe to go online and update your update |
| and not to the hacker! | | | | Windows operating system. Today's versions of |
| What Can The Hacker Get | | | | Windows comes with a handy 'Automatic Updates' |
| Additionally allowing others to connect to your account | | | | feature which lets your computer update itself as and |
| is a very risky move as hackers finding your | | | | when it's required, then simply let's you know it's ready |
| unsecured network will be able to access a wide | | | | to install. I strongly suggest you always have this |
| range of information from your computer including | | | | switched on! |
| histories, login details, passwords, private email and | | | | |