Collecting data on five hundred commercial and domestic wireless networks in Nottingham, Tunbridge Wells, and Tonbridge between March and April 2008, Network Box discovered that most use WEP while some are still using no security at all.
According to the data presented by Network Box, three-fifths or fifty-seven percent of UK businesses are leaving their wireless networks essentially wide open by using weak protections, or no protections at all. The report says that sixteen percent were to found to use no protection on their wireless network.
Scary thought that some of the networks picked up were businesses. However, those with weak security or no security which were residential, came as no surprise. Scans to home users showed that forty-eight percent used WEP while thirteen percent used no security.
Network Box makes it clear that no attempt was made to connect to the network, and no traffic was intercepted or decrypted. However, there are tools that would allow you to perform this type of scan and research yourself.
Best practice is to use WPA encryption on wireless networks. Recall that weak WEP encryption is what led to TJX losing millions of personal records, and paying enormous amounts of fines and compensation.
For some tips and tricks with wireless security, check out The Tech Herald’s feature on the subject: Security: How to protect your wireless network and debunk myths
Wireless research shows serious problems with security. (Img: J.Anderson)
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