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Network Box: More Than Half Of Businesses Using Ineffective Or No Encryption On Their Wireless Networks, According To Network Box; Home users also leave their wireless networks exposed(M2 PressWIRE Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) RDATE:24032008 Nearly three-fifths (57 per cent) of UK businesses are leaving themselves vulnerable to hackers by not taking simple steps to protect their wireless networks, according to new research by managed security company, Network Box. The company investigated the protocols used by businesses to protect their wireless networks and found that 41 per cent use the largely-ineffective wired equivalent privacy (WEP) protocol; staggeringly, 16 per cent use no protection at all. The research also highlighted a similar lack of security awareness among home users. Forty-eight per cent use the WEP protocol, while 13 per cent use no protection - three per cent less than the figure recorded for businesses. It is widely acknowledged in the security industry that the WEP protocol is being depreciated as it can protect only against hackers with the most basic programming knowledge. WEP encryption can be hacked in minutes by a determined blackhat with the requisite skills and software. Network Box is urging all home users and businesses to check their configurations and switch to the wi-fi protected access (WPA) protocol. WPA affords home users and businesses a far higher level of security, as it uses a sophisticated key structure that creates new encryption keys as the system is used. This, along with other enhancements provides improved protection and is able to counter successfully the established key recovery attacks on WEP. For both home users and businesses, the risks associated with unsecured wireless networks cannot be overstated. A hacker could steal a home user's confidential details, suchas passwords and PINs, which could then be used for identity theft and stealing money from the unsuspecting user's account. Much worse, a hacker coulddownload illegal material that could result in prosecution for the user. For businesses, a compromised wireless network could lead to sensitive information - such as HR records; financial details; intellectual property; company growth strategy etc - landing in the hands of a hacker, leaving the company vulnerable to extortion or industrial espionage. Simon Heron, Internet Analyst, Network Box, says: "WEP is no obstacle for a shrewd hacker and can be sidestepped in minutes. By configuring wireless networks to WPA, businesses and home users immediately make any hacking attempt significantly more difficult. And the good news is that switching from WEP to WPA typically involves only the flicking of a switch." Data was collected on 500 commercial and domestic wireless networks in Nottingham, Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge between March and April 2008.No attempt was made by Network Box to connect to the networks found, nor to intercept or decrypt traffic. The Wireless Networks whitepaper can be downloaded from http://www.network-box.co.uk/resources/whitepapers About Network Box: Network Box Limited (NBL) is an international managed security services company, specialising in unified threat management (UTM). It continuously defends the networks of its customers using PUSH technology to instantaneously update protection, from 12 Security Operations Centres spread around the globe. NBL's customers in Asia, Australia, North America and Europe include companies such as BMW, Nintendo and Toyota, as well as banks, utilities companies and government organisations. CONTACT: Kate Hartley, Carrot Communications Tel: +44 (0)20 7386 4862 Fax: +44 (0)207 386 4865 e-mail: [email protected] Malini Majithia, Carrot Communications Tel: +44 (0)20 7386 4862 Fax: +44 (0)207 386 4865 e-mail: [email protected] WWW: http://www.carrotcomms.co.uk Network Box WWW: http://www.network-box.co.uk WWW: http://www.network-box.com ((M2 Communications Ltd disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to [email protected])). Copyright ? 2008 M2 Communications Ltd. |