Wireless

The problem with wireless is that unlike wired communications, people can easily tap into your intranet. With your typical wire based system the only realisitc way to get into a network is to come in from the internet and crack any security such as a router from the outside. However, a cracker need not do that to get into a wireless network. They just need to be near your wireless base station. They just jump on your network since you are broadcasting a connection to the outside world. Since that is located inside the firewalls and NAT protection provided by most SOHO routers, that can leave you very vulnerable. In this case, it becomes more akin to someone being on your internal network at home. This means that you have to rely on your computer's security rather than the router's and one less layer of security. Less safe. It is actually quite a common phenomenom for crackers to run around south bay here with a wireless network detection device to find the network and then they brake into the network. Most are unprotected and some have encryted logins. Must home users do not have encryted logins setup. Good example is how we were able to login to other wireless connections at SoCal GenCon. So here is the moral of the story, unless you have an encrypted login, your should make sure you have no resources available on your network. File sharing etc.. And make sure you have all the latest patches installed. Honestly though, there is probably little danger to having your computer hacked internally as a home user. Probably the only thing you have to worry about as a home user is someone piggybacking your connection and stealing bandwidth. Obviously, this is very different with a business where data is more sensitive. However, the thought of someone stealing your personal information from your computer is a bit scary.

Bortz