Kaspersky Lab reveals threat to Wi-Fi networks

Corporate IT Update, May 25, 2006

CORPORATE IT UPDATE-(C)1995-2006 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

IT professionals are not taking the threat posed by attacks to wireless networks seriously enough, according to a report by anti-virus company Kaspersky Lab.

According to the results of research conducted by Kaspersky between 25 and 28 April 2006 in various areas of London, UK and at Infosec 2006, 49% of WI-Fi networks in operation are open to attack from hackers because they are not using data encryption. The research reportedly paid particular attention to Canary Wharf, the business district of London, and while the area proved the most secure in London still 40% of Wi-Fi networks were not encrypted.

Furthermore, when Kaspersky Lab tested Wi-Fi networks at Infosec 2006, Europe's largest security exhibition, 62% of the wireless networks were operating without data encryption. Data was collected on over 600 WI-Fi access points. No attempt was made by the company to connect to the networks found, nor to intercept or decrypt traffic, the company claims.

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