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Open Wireless Dangers: Protecting Your Home

Home wireless networks are very common. Many people though, aren’t aware of the dangers an open system can pose. Open Wi-Fi connections can put you at risk for identity theft and provide an easy way for people to hijack your system for criminal means.

"By having an open network, Jim Kouril, criminal investigator with Idaho’s Attorney General explained, “You're providing an opportunity for someone to commit a crime."

Today’s Channel 6 News drove through Boise’s North End with Kouril, and with a small device used to detect open wireless systems, spotted dozens. Kouril said a criminal wouldn’t even have to leave their car to get online and potentially steal your personal information through your own system.

Identity theft is just the start of your potential problems if you have an unlocked home wireless system though. You could also be inviting legal trouble and even trouble with police.

Computer specialist Erik Smith has heard plenty of horror stories. He remembers one customer, accused of stealing copyrighted material, coming to his MacLife store in desperation.

"Somebody had been sitting in a car on the street, maybe a neighbor, and had… started downloading all this music, all these movies... and got them in big trouble,” Smith recalled, “They were terrified because the letters [the attorneys] send you look like you’re going to jail!”

Proving you haven’t stolen the stuff yourself can cost you serious time and money, especially if your Internet provider pulls the pug on your account. If all that doesn’t convince you to lock down your wireless connection, maybe the threat of having law enforcement show up at your front door will.

Kouril was recently tracking a child pornographer who turned out to be doing his dirty work on a neighbor’s open wireless connection. “We explained to the [neighbor] that we had reason to believe her network had been used for the dissemination of child porn. She turned to her husband and gave him a look.”

The family cooperated with investigators and helped them track the real criminal so they didn’t face charges but there’s no guarantee you won’t if a criminal uses your account.

“If you assist them or help them… you’re liable too, Kouril said”

So how to make sure your network is secure? First figure out if it is password protected. No password usually means it’s open. A quick Google search with your router information can provide instructions on how to set a password. You can also consult an expert at a local computer store.

To learn more about protecting yourself from the dangers of open wireless connections at home, click on the Today’s Channel 6 News Video Link to watch Michelle Stark’s full story.

Contact Michelle at mstark@kivitv.com.