I was recently called out to a client’s home to help connect a Windows XP laptop to their wireless network. The laptop had been able to connect wirelessly in the past but for some reason it had stopped working. My client had already spoken to his Internet Service Provider and Linksys. Both were unable to resolve his problem. Sure enough, it was a rather strange and unexpected one.
Wireless computer networks are now prevalent in most residential neighborhoods. If you were to take a wireless-enabled laptop and stroll down your street, you would probably detect dozens of wireless networks. Some of these networks would have tight security while the majority of them would have weak security or no security at all. The ones with no security can easily be compromised by a malicious attacker who is “war driving” and even innocently stumbled upon by your average neighbor. The ones with weak security can be compromised in minutes by a skilled hacker.
