Primary Response Air Cover – Secure Wireless Connections Primer
An informed wireless user is a safe wireless user
Establishing the right security profile for a mobile system dictates that
a user understands what threats a mobile system may encounter. Mobile devices
that are connected via wireless networks have an additional threat vector that
is not present in systems connected to a hard-wired network. The ability of
wireless hackers to access, infect and sometimes control systems continues
to grow. This particular problem cannot be protected by antivirus or other
software that looks for specific signatures of a software threat that is resident
on the system. Wireless hackers can get into a system and wreak havoc by bypassing
legacy prevention software to inject malicious code, hi-jack the wireless connection
for malicious purposes, or simply take over the machine as if it were their
own. The only way to prevent these attacks from occurring is by protecting
the wireless configuration of the system to remove the possibility of hackers
breaking into the system. Primary Response Air cover provides that protection
regardless if you are at home, at work or on the road by assessing the wireless
risk level and instructing the user on how to configure the system to minimize
the risk level.
Basic Components of a Wireless Connection
Laptop or Mobile Computer – most laptops or mobile computers
manufactured today include the ability to connect without a network cable via
wireless signal to an access point. This connection is based on the IEEE standard
802.11/a-g interface. Older mobile computers may have a PCMCIA card that provides
wireless connectivity. These connections can work on a system that has both
a wireless and a wired network connection (network cable or telephone wire).
You may have a desktop PC at home and also a mobile computer. Both computers
can connect to the Internet, the desktop PC via wire and the mobile computer
via wireless.
Access Point (AP)– an access point comes in different configurations
and functionality. Some contain only a wireless antenna that picks up the signal
from the mobile computer. Some are both a wireless antenna as well as a broadband
connection. The AP is typically configured through an Internet browser configuration
utility. These are accessed by entering a URL similar to http://192.168.0.1
. This address may vary by manufacturer (Netgear, Linksys, D-Link and others),
so always check your access point documentation in order to configure your
access point appropriately.
Cable/DSL/Satellite Modem– these can be separate devices
to the Access Point. The modem is used to connect your PCs, PC network or access
points to the Cable/DSL/Satellite carrier network. The access point may be
integrated into the modem to eliminate the need for one or the other in your
hardware configuration.
Internet Connection– your Internet connection is the cable,
DSL or Satellite connection you use in order to connect with your service carrier
to your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Your carrier may have recommended
or even installed the modem that converts your PC network cable data transmission
for communicating over the cable, DSL or Satellite connection you have installed.
Carriers are companies like Cox and Comcast for cable, Verizon, Sprint or AT&T
for DSL service and Direcway for Satellite connections. All of these carriers
provide different levels of service to meet the diverse needs of consumers.
Internet Service Provider (ISP) – the ISP is your gateway
to the Internet. This service can be provided by the carrier simply by using
their services for your Internet connection. You may also decide that you would
rather use a full service ISP like Earthlink or AOL to be managing your connection
experience because of their ability to provide you additional services like
photo management, parental controls and security software to protect the personal
identity and asset information that reside on your PC or mobile computer's
hard drive.
Wireless Security Considerations
Although most have heard about protecting their computers from viruses, spyware,
spam and adware, there are also other threats that are initiated by wireless
hackers attempting to access the wireless connection between mobile computers
and access points. Yes, any mobile computer that has a wireless connection
to an access point is susceptible to being hi-jacked, infected with malware
or even taken over for malicious purposes. Primary Response Air Cover is designed
to keep users informed of the risk level, show how to manage that risk level
and notify the user should an intruder attempt to intercept signals or try
to attach to personal mobile computers. Primary Response Air Cover will help
to protect personal identities and all of the information critical to your
digital lifestyle.
Mobile PCs are designed to be, well, mobile. In providing this service and
flexibility, travelers have found the convenience of carrying around their
laptops has become a necessity; even when traveling on vacation. Employers,
coffee shops, airports, hotels, resorts and even municipalities are building
wireless access points for the convenience of their employees, customers, visitors
and citizens. In doing so and as the ubiquity of these networks expands, more
and more will be exposed to the threats of the wireless criminal. Primary Response
Air Cover gives users the ability to set up multiple profiles that satisfy
the wireless connection requirements at home, at work or away.
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