Wireless networks 'open to hackers'

A national study has found an alarming number of wireless computer networks are vulnerable to attack.

The University of South Australia's Enterprise Security Management Laboratory looked at networks in seven Australian capital city central business districts.

Researcher Mathew Hannan says encryption is lacking in 45 per cent of the 729 networks detected, with at least a third of those not even using the most basic security measures.

"They are wide open to access from outside the organisation," he said.

"People driving along the street outside running a laptop with a wireless internet card, or access card, can gain access to the network and access possibly corporate or personal information stored on computing devices within an organisation or home wireless network.

"They can also access the Internet through that medium."

Mr Hannan says the networks have built-in security systems but users are not shown how they are activated.

He says the problems have increased as the technology has become cheaper.

"What this has meant is that retailers try to sell this technology they are increasingly selling it to people with less awareness on how to secure networks," he said.

"A lot of the people that are buying this technology because it is so easy to use are actually taking it without being aware of the possible security concerns that occur with wireless technology."

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