Encryption Programs
By now, you are probably wondering “Ok, I see that encryption is good, but it sounds too complicated!” I assure you, security experts have worked hard to make encrypting data very simple. They have developed programs that allow you to pick the key, and then encrypt the data for you. My personal favorite is a program called PGP. There is a freeware version available for personal use, which has many of the features required to be safe, but a little less functionality than the paid for version. PGP allows you to encrypt files, archives, and e-mail messages. It is extremely simple and easy to use. You can download PGP here: http://www.pgp.com/downloads/freeware/freeware.html.
Wireless Network Security
By having a wireless network, you are putting yourself at risk for many security problems. You need to understand that all data going in and out of both your router / access point and your wireless network card is broadcast in a 360 degree angle, and has about a 100 meter diameter. If that data is not encrypted, it can be read by anyone. It is a very good idea to look into the types of encryption your router supports.
WEP is a very common encryption method that is included on most routers, but it is not very secure. There were several flaws identified by cryptographers, most notably a hole in the cipher which allowed an eavesdropper to monitor traffic for a few hours and recover the encryption key. Earlier in 2005, the FBI demonstrated the cracking of a WEP encrypted network in approximately 3 minutes.
If you use WEP, a 128 bit encryption can be used, but it can be easily cracked. A 256 bit WEP encryption can cause unacceptable lag, but it is harder to crack (but it still *can* be cracked). If your router supports 64 bit WEP only, you might want to look in to a new router.
WPA is an encryption technology that was developed to fix the problems WEP encountered. Being more security oriented, WEP is a much more recommended encryption method for wireless networks. Although it can still be cracked, if a strong pass-phrase (14 random characters or 5 words) is used, it makes that task extremely difficult for hackers to achieve. This is the most recommended method of securing a wireless network.
Section Conclusion
Just to remind readers, the best way to avoid identity theft is to be smart, be careful, and follow some of the advice in this article. You can’t ever be fully protected, but you sure can reduce your risk factor substantially. By taking a few simple steps to protect yourself, such as encrypting sensitive information, watching for hoaxes, doing your research, and paying attention to detail, you can save yourself from disaster.
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“War Games” & “Hackers: The Movie” sure did motivate a few kids to become internet security specialists. Groups formed on mIRC and it became pretty big at that time.