Most people know what the term “hacker” refers to.  But, do you know what “Wardriving” or “Cantenna” mean?   Further, most people have embraced some type anti-virus software for their desktop or laptop as a norm like getting the oil changed every 3000 miles on the car or truck but are leaving themselves vulnerable to malicious attacks, theft, and hacks on their Wi-Fi, laptops and smartphones.

Wardriving and Cantenna Defined

Wardriving is the act of searching for Wi-Fi wireless networks by a person in a moving vehicle, using a portable computer, smartphone or personal digital assistant (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wardriving).

A Cantenna (a portmanteau blending the words can and antenna) is a homemade directional waveguide antenna, made out of an open-ended metal can. The tiny design makes them ideal for mobile applications such as wardriving. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantenna). 

Whether you are using a Wi-Fi connection on your laptop or smartphone in your home, office or favorite public place, you are vulnerable to Wardriving and the reach of a Cantenna (some can reach your signal from miles away).

RB’s Computer Service can help protect you with Wi-Fi encryption and firewall strategies and integration for your laptop, tablet or network.  In most cases the cost for this protection is under $200.

How “real” is the threat to your smartphone?  Consumer Reports® confirms it is real! 

A Consumer Reports® study confirmed “5.6 million smart-phone users experienced undesired behavior on their phones such as the sending of unauthorized text messages or the accessing of accounts without their permission, our survey projects.  According to experts, those are symptoms indicating the presence of malicious software.” (Consumer Reports magazine, Keep your phone safe…How to protect yourself from wireless threats, June, 2013, https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2013/06/keep-your-phone-safe/index.htm)

That study is over 4 years old, smartphone usage has only accelerated.  It stands to reason there are a lot more than 5.6 million people that have experienced malicious activity on their smartphone today.

4 Common Ways Malicious Attacks, Thefts, and Hacks hit your Wi-Fi, Laptop or Smartphone.

1. Through your Wi-Fi, laptop login, or 4 digit smartphone screen lock.
2. Downloading smartphone apps from untrusted sources that require access to more things on your phone than it needs.
3. Using untrusted WIFI connections to get online (without a firewall).
4. When you lose your smartphone or it is stolen.

Of course there are more ways, like through ones iTunes account, etc.  But for these common ones, below are 6 actionable items you can do today.

6 Ways to PREVENT Malicious Attacks, Thefts, and Hacks from hitting your Wi-Fi, laptop, and smartphone.

1. Encrypt your office or home Wi-Fi network connection; get a good firewall for your laptop, tablet or notebook. Contact RB’s Computers for the best options.  Conduct online shopping and purchases on a Wi-Fi network you can trust, like your HOME (Consumer Reports magazine, Keep your phone safe…How to protect yourself from wireless threats, June, 2013, https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2013/06/keep-your-phone-safe/index.htm).
2. Change your Wi-Fi, laptop login and 4 digit screen lock to a more secure one using letters, numbers and symbols or add a fingerprint ID. 4 digit smartphone screen locks or “123xyz” passwords are the easiest to hack.  For Android and iPhones see this 2 minutes video and you are all set; https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2013/06/keep-your-phone-safe/index.htm?vide .
3. Install a security app on your phone. The same people you would go to for anti-virus software for your desktop or laptop (Avast, AVG, Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Lookout, McAfee and Norton) all have apps, most for under $10.  See this link; (Tom’s Guide, Tom’s Guide Staff, Best Antivirus Software and Apps 2016, August 5, 2016, https://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-antivirus,review-2588-7.html).
4. Back up your data emanating from your laptop, home, office network or smartphone. RB’s Computer Service can help with this too.  For your smartphone, there are hundreds of Cloud options online, but the first place you might want to check is your current cell phone provider (it is not a “junk fee add on”).  If you are rate shopper or options adventurer Google “wireless cloud options.”
5. Install an app or adjust your smartphone settings to locate a lost or stolen phone and be able to REMOTELY erase the data on it. For iPhone users, see this link; https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203033. For other smartphones, again the easiest way to find a solution is to Google it.
6. Erase all the data before return, repair, or resale of your smartphone. (Top 10 iPhone Security Tips – McAfee-White Paper, https://www.mcafee.com/us/resources/white-papers/foundstone/wp-top-10-iphone-security-tips.pdf ).

After reading this post and you require further assistance, feel free to contact me via phone or email; 763-441-3884, randy@rbsmn.com.  RB’s Computer Service sells the Intel Compute Stick as well as the best laptop computers, best desktop computers, business computers, computer parts and computer monitors.  We also provide managed IT services, computer repair, iPhone and smartphone repair to customers and clients throughout central Minnesota and St. Cloud.