Wireless Technology Issues
There are some key technology issues with wireless computing devices that
owner/managers of SMEs need to be aware of that need to be considered to
make sure that the SME business and data, is adequately protected against a
range of risks.
What risks? Wireless networks (and associated devices) can be attacked
through rogue access points e.g., ad hoc or free WiFi networks, or by
accidental discovery, or malicious association, through unprotected access
points and wireless network monitoring devices, that can be easily installed in public
areas and/or are located nearby your office or place of business.
Security Tips for Wireless Devices for SMEs
Wireless computing devices that offer technology advances to SMEs are now widely
accepted as a cost effective means for the Small Business owner/manager to
connect computers and peripherals as the business grows in size.
“Wireless Tips and Tricks” from P
CProfile
self-help tutorial software package is designed to help SME/SOHO businesses to
check their own systems, and bring then to a more secure state so as to protect
the business against theft of data.
Take
a sneak preview of
“Wireless Tips and Tricks” content here
It’s time to check your systems and make sure that you have security measures in
place, appropriate to your level of business risk, as it could be a “Plug and
Pray” environment that now exists at some sites
“Wireless
Tips and Tricks” is available at this link until 30th June 2008 ORDER
Wireless Tips and Tricks for a single licence fee of $50 incl GST
All purchasers of “Wireless Tips and Tricks” receive a free
copy of “Tips and Tricks for Outlook Express” which normally
sells for $AUD 33 incl GST.
Practical Wireless Security Tips
PCProfile offers SME owner/managers a self-help
tutorial software package called “Wireless Tips and Tricks”.
Inside this easy to use software package you will find pragmatic and practical
tips covering the following when using Wireless computing devices -
- How to alter ALL Factory default settings to increase security and protection;
- How to alter the Default User name and Password;
- Why you need to set Service Set IDs (SSIDs) so that they are meaningless
to outsiders;
- How to set WEP and WPA keys to improve protection;
- Why Infrared ports need to be disabled,
- Why Encryption should be enabled;
- How and why you need to make sure all wireless access points are securely
firewalled and;
- Why you need to ensure that recommended manufacturer patches are promptly
applied
- Over 30 "other tips" covering email/Internet and computers within your
business
If your wireless systems are not secure, can you afford to lose customer
database information, credit card data, membership lists, designs, and
documentation, and other sensitive financial data etc that is on your systems
through lack of knowledge about the issues presented by the use of wireless
computing devices?
Plug and Play
All the latest wireless devices come with a “plug and play” capability
inbuilt, so in most cases, hooking wireless systems together is a breeze,
when you know how.
With wireless computing devices, the retailer (and the manufacturer) will
tell you, that it’s just a question of selecting the right device for your
needs, opening the box, turning on the power and presto, the device
discovers and connects to your existing system such as Vista or XP.
It’s as simple as that, you can have the wireless router, printer, laptop or
PDA connected in minutes rather than hours.
Out Of The Box Installation
If you are a typical owner/manager of an SME, unless you already know this, most
of the devices will be installed using the Out-Of-The-Box settings, known as the
“manufacturer default settings”.
This is “manufactured by design” to allow and enable the new device to
automatically detect the wireless access point closest to the new wireless
device, so that the functionality and operation can commence immediately once
charged up, if battery driven, or powered on at the mains.
SMEs are typically time poor when it comes to
administrivia, and may have overlooked or not be aware of the default settings
risks in their rush to use the new wireless computing device.
There are some vital keys or settings that can be a single point of risk for an
SME/SOHO business, and when more than 2 of these items are left unchanged (or
are set inappropriately) then the level of risk increases significantly.
In practise, most wireless devices in the SME/SOHO environment are rarely
altered from factory settings by SME/SOHO users, hence the risks of loss of
data, or malicious use of information can be potentially damaging for the small
business owner/manager.
Not to be overlooked is the impact of “reverting to the default settings” after
a service or support issue, or some major outage, (or advised by the Helpdesk at
the ISP – who should know better!) which then returns the settings back to
factory defaults.
