Wardriving and Identity Theft

Thanks to the recent high-profile identity theft case, attention has been called to the technique that was used, which is called wardriving. Wardriving involves driving around searching for insecure wireless networks. This can relate to home wireless connections or, like in the current identity theft case, business connections. Gaining access to a wireless network is easy if the security is low. If you've used a neighbor's wireless connection from a laptop without permission, then you've done it yourself.

With wireless networks for businesses becoming more common, wireless security should be something also be a concern. This isn't just about surfing the web on someone else's connection. The hackers involved in the current identity theft case were able to access the credit card information of millions of consumers, so obviously wardriving in the hands of a cyber criminal is much more serious than just taking advantage of free Internet service.

While you obviously have no control over the security of the businesses you frequent, you can control your own actions. If you are surfing the web from an open or low-security wireless network, don't use this particular surfing time to log on to your online bank account or make an online purchase.