If you run a business and have confidential data on your computers, then you should think twice about using a wireless network setup. Sure it saves time and money from having to run cables from PC to PC but you’ll allow cyber thieves with more options in which to crack into your system. I recently read an article from USA Today (Oct 9, 2009) that talked about how “Interception of data is not technically difficult”. It states how easy it is for amateur thieves to map out Wi-Fi signals (a process called “war driving”) by cruising areas with just a laptop and antenna. Upon picking up a signal, the bad guys then use free password-breaking programs (available on the Internet, how nice! :p ) to establish a virtual private network connection, thus allowing them to install “sniffer” programs. A sniffer is a program that captures data that moves across the network. The thieves customize these sniffer’s to log all data that has to do with financial information, such as credit cards. This is how 94 million credit and debit card transactions were stolen from TJX in 2007 and over 130 million such records were taken in 2008 from Heartland Payment Systems.

Now if you don’t use a wireless network, that’s great. But if you allow access to your Intranet via the web, then you have another door open for these thieves still! By using a technique called SQL injection (in which a hacker simply types in random characters into a web form’s input/password box), the person is often able to break the connection between the web page and the database, allowing him inside access.

My suggestion is to keep your private network PRIVATE.  That is, using cables to establish a LAN line and don’t allow wireless access.  Also don’t allow Internet access to your domain.  Keep it all internal.  The only way a hacker can break into your system is via one of those two outside connections.  And further more, DO NOT open up strange emails or even one’s “supposedly” coming from known institutions like banks or employers that ask you to “click on a link” or to “download a program”.  These are ways for hackers to install controls on your computer so they can break in and take over.