Online Identity Theft And Wireless Web Access

Another potential weakness that can assist online identity theft is the massive growth of wireless internet access.

You may or may not be aware of this, but the range of a wireless connection is actually much larger than needed by most homes. Often the range can be in the region of 30 to 50 metres.

This means that a determined hacker could be sat in a building nearby, or in a parked car outside. With a laptop, wireless connection and the sort of easy to come by software that any hacker worth the name will have, it is possible to access other people's networks.

Since many people are not 'clued up' about the internet, many do not even use the security systems that they have or switch on the security that comes with their wireless technology.

We appreciate that this may sound a little alarmist and possibly paranoid, but if you have assets worth stealing, you may be the target of such a attack. Even if you do not have conspicuous assets, you may be enabling access online to other people by using your connection.

This could also be fraught with problems. Having other people accessing the web via your ISP login offers the potential for downloading things that you might rather not be associated with.

In short, it is vital that you learn to use the security system built into your wireless access if you have not done so already. This may well assist you in protecting you from online identity theft.

Click here to go back to learn about MySpace Identity Theft and Facebook Identity Theft

To read about the risks of keystroke loggers click here computer identity theft

Read about the potential risks and rewards of websites that try to help combat identity theft

Learn how the UK's HM Land Registry might be putting homeowners at identity theft risk

The criminal underworld is joining forces against us. Learn about the scale of the problem at Internet crime