Originally published December 3 2005
Police warn public about unwanted WiFi patching
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
The act of "piggy-backing" onto wireless internet connections is becoming more of a concern as some "war-drivers" conduct illegal activities or view private information without the owner's knowledge.
WINNIPEG -- Police in Winnipeg issued a cautionary advisory to people who have setup wireless internet networks at home: Secure the network or risk being raided by authorities and having your computer seized -- all because someone patched onto your network without you knowing, and decided to carry out some illegal activities, such as surfing for child porn.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------They're talking about "hot spotting" or "war-driving": people who drive around with wireless or wifi-enabled laptops in their cars, searching for residences with a wireless network, and patching into the internet connection.
Essentially, the act of piggy-backing onto your internet connection, without you knowing.
While you may be concerned with the fact that "war-drivers" are using your internet service at your expense, police are warning of something far more malicious, such as surfing for and downloading child porn -- and other illicit material -- or accessing your personal information.
Police warn that the technology available to law enforcement to fight cyber-crime isn't implemented at a quick enough pace to allow authorities to distinguish whether a person with an internet connection is surfing for child porn -- or whether that person has had their network compromised by a passing "war-driver."
Police suggest a number of adjustments to your wireless router's settings to increase the security of your network.
Check the manual included with your wireless router for specific instructions.
The documentation included with the product will provide instructions how to enable your equipment's security features.
If you have difficulties or you have questions the manufacturers provide on-line or telephone support.
Choose and use an encryption option compatible with your equipment.
This limits the equipment that can connect to your router.
Consider disabling this feature (DHCP) and manually assign IP addresses.
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