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USG WiFi Nets "Wide Open"
From: David Farber <dave () farber net>
Date: Fri, 20 May 2005 11:15:41 -0400
Begin forwarded message: From: Dewayne Hendricks <dewayne () warpspeed com> Date: May 19, 2005 8:51:31 PM EDT To: Dewayne-Net Technology List <dewayne-net () warpspeed com> Subject: [Dewayne-Net] USG WiFi Nets "Wide Open" Reply-To: dewayne () warpspeed com [Note: This item comes from reader Randall. DLH]
From: Randall <rvh40 () insightbb com> Date: May 19, 2005 7:06:07 AM PDT To: Dewayne Hendricks <dewayne () warpspeed com> Subject: USG WiFi Nets "Wide Open" <http://tinyurl.com/agn5z> US government wi-fi networks wide open Beware hackers on park benches report warns By: Nick Farrell Wednesday 18 May 2005, 06:56MANY US government networks could be hacked by a wi-fi user sitting on apark bench, according to a congressional report released by the Government Accountability Office. We are unsure why the park bench is such an important hacker tool, but the report implies that too few government agencies can ensure that their wireless networks are protected from unauthorised access.The report said that the government was daft to set up "Wi-Fi" networksuntil they had figured out a way to secure them. Apparently nine of the 24 major agencies haven't got anywireless-security plans, while many others haven’t got proper guidelinesin place. The report says that 13 agencies don't require their Wi-Fi networks to be set up in a secure manner, and most don't monitor their wireless activity. GAO investigators sat on park benches all around government facilities and were able to pick up Wi-Fi signals from outside all of the six agencies they tested. One agency had 90 laptop computers configured to search for a wireless connection while they were plugged in to a wireless network easy way in for snoops and hackers. The report did not specify which agencies were examined.Wi-Fi allows office workers and home users to surf the Internet from thecafeteria or back yard. But if they are not secured properly, eavesdroppers can monitor the online activity of others, or impersonate an authorized user to gain access. The Office of Management and Budget should make sure that government agencies use encryption, virtual private networks and other security tools, the report said. Agencies should also monitor their systems forimproper use and make sure employees know how to use them properly, theGAO said. _______________________________________________ Cuckoosnest mailing list
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- USG WiFi Nets "Wide Open" David Farber (May 20)