Wireless Internet Security: How secure is FTP, my email and passwords? What about WEP/WPA2 routers?

April 22, 1:11 AMOpen Source ExaminerAndrey Samode

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Emails and passwords can be easily listened to through on a wifi network. Protected wireless networks can be cracked. Some more easily than others.

What is WEP and WPA2?

WEP stands for Wired Equivalent Privacy. When introduced in 1997, WEP was intended to provide confidentiality comparable to that of a traditional wired network. Beginning in 2001, several serious weaknesses were identified by cryptanalysts with the result that today a WEP connection can be cracked with readily available software within minutes.

In response to the serious weaknesses researchers had found in WEP, WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) was created. This is a much better encryption algorithm, and though not indestructible, it provides sufficient security where you would not be an easy target unless you use a password like "12345".

Do Internet cafes use WEP/WPA? Can I use my laptop, iPhone or iPod Touch securely?

Mostly no. Usually Internet Cafes have an open network, and are not responsible for anything that happens there.

What about FTP?

FTP protocol, which is widely used for transferring files to web servers, submits it's authentication information in clear text. It is really just as easy to listen to it as to a radio. I strongly discourage using this method of file transferring.

What about my email program? Outlook, Thunderbird or Mail for Mac?

If you use the standard settings, this too is submitted in a format that can be intercepted very easily. You messages can be logged to view at the convenience of a hacker.

So what can I do!?

There are things that you can do to protect your data and use the Internet securely. In the next article I will show you how this can be done.

Continue to PART 3: Wireless Internet Security: What can I do to protect myself on open wifi networks?

Or return to PART 1: Wireless Internet Security: Can Others Listen In on Your "Secure" Communications?

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