You’ve probably heard about this new wireless hack called KRACK. Just what we need after all the frustrations with Equifax! Don’t panic, just be on alert.
Our trusted friends at Malwarebytes did an excellent overview of the likely risks to the average users. In a nutshell, when a wireless network asks for a password to connect, you assume it’s secure. And when I mean secure, I mean virtually impenetrable. Think deadlock along with a chain for good measure. There’s no way someone’s going to get into your network without lots of work.
With KRACK, your wireless password is more like your standard door lock. Someone with a little skill and the right tools can open the door.
For a home user that means you need to be a little more on alert. For someone to KRACK your wireless network, they’ll need to be within range. The odds are you’d see someone in your driveway hacking into your network. If you live in an apartment or otherwise close to others, they could try to hack in without your knowledge. The odds of that happening are pretty darn low. Brute force attacks have always been there. Just like a door, given enough time, you’ll eventually get in.
Even if they get into your network, they’ll need to keep connected to see anything “juicy.” Most stuff these days is encrypted along with having a password. That’s like the safe in your house. The burglar can break into your home but then they need to break into the safe. So much work!
Here’s what you need to do, which we suggest regardless of KRACK:
- Keep your computer up to date with security patches.
- Make sure your anti-virus is up to date and working. We recommend Malwarebytes.
- Use unique passwords everywhere. Don’t reuse the same password on multiple sites.
- Update your router with security updates and replace it when you can’t get updates.
The tricky part is when you’re in public. Even before KRACK, you needed to be careful. Even if the password on the network is secure, you never know who is looking over your shoulder or recording you with their mobile phone. When I’m at a coffee shop, I pretend that anything on my computer or mobile device is showing on every TV in the world.
These tips are what we advise all clients. Call/Text/Email us or send us a message from the DoctorDave app if you have any questions or need help to protect your stuff.
Photo by Hivint