We want you to protect your good name, but we don't want you to get paranoid about it! Nevertheless, some recent developments in identity theft are pretty frightening. What if we told you a criminal could steal your personal information out of thin air? Scary? Yes - and absolutely possible. New technology lets fraudsters steal your identity through wireless communications channels

There are two forms of wireless ID theft that security analysts routinely study. Today, we'll cover the first: Identity theft through wireless computer networks.

 Wireless Network ID Theft and Wardriving

Wardriving is hacker slang for searching an area for available wireless networks. Many wardrivers are hobbyists with no interest in breaking into the networks they detect, but criminals use the same techniques. All that's necessary is a laptop with wireless capability, software capable of logging network information (available for free at hacker resource sites, though nowadays, default PC wireless settings detect nearby networks too) and freedom of movement.

An identity thief uses wardriving to search for vulnerable wireless networks. Many users let anyone log into their networks or never bother to change their wireless router's default password (hackers routinely keep these passwords on file), making it easy to enter. If the fraudster can access your computer remotely, he can find stored personal data. Do you do your taxes online? Do you have any banking information on your hard drive? In this scenario, a malicious hacker could steal it and use it to profit from your identity. All he has to do is drive by your home, register a hit on his wardriving software and start rummaging through your machine.

Wireless Network Identity Theft Prevention Tips

 As disturbing as the possibility of ID theft through wardriving is, you can take simple precautions to prevent it and still enjoy your wireless network. They are:

 

• Protect your wireless network with a unique router password.
• Be aware of security vulnerabilities in your software and download the necessary patches.
• Keep updated firewall software on every computer in your home.
• Delete updated files with personal information.
• Shred printouts with personal information (criminal hackers will rifle through your trash for passwords and other sensitive information).
• Identity theft protection services like TrustedID provide an extra layer of protection.