Wireless Internet is necessary have for most consumers, with all of the laptops, tablets, smartphones and wireless refrigerators. You never know who could be intruding on your privacy by gaining access to your wireless Internet.
Man in the Middle Attacks
Intruders that gain access to your home Internet, via Wi-Fi or other means, can utilize a tactic called man in the middle intrusion. When they utilize this tactic, there is nothing you can do to protect your credit card data, email or even the pages you view. They can reroute you to other websites and infect your computer with viruses.
All of the security protocols are designed to keep outside intrudes off your computer; however, intruders that gain access to your system via your routing system are able to bypass these security features.
The only way to prevent intruders from gaining access to your deepest secrets, finances and personal information is by protecting yourself. You are going to have to encrypt your Wi-Fi network and prevent invaders from accessing your information.
Commit Crimes
Crackers do not only hack into your wireless Internet to steal your information. They may have another plan after they invade your network. Gaining access to your Internet may be just the first step in their plan.
After they gain access to your Internet, they can commit crimes on your IP, or Internet Protocol, address, such as downloading movies illegally or committing fraud. This allows them to commit crimes from your virtual identity. For the most part, your IP address is the same as a physical address. It is your network’s virtual address. IP addresses can change but only when your Internet service provider resets it.
The first cause for concern that someone has been hacking into your network: being banned on websites that you have not visited. This is one of the first telltale signs of being invaded. You have to work quickly to solve the problem as soon as you see signs of an invasion.
Bandwidth
Compared to the rest of the items on the list, this may seem as if it were a stern scolding. In reality, your utilization of the Internet may be, severely, hampered by bandwidth throttling.
Does your job require the use of an high speed Internet? If so, you are going to run into financial problems due to restriction of Internet usage. You may not be able to download your work files fast enough, upload your newest video log or sign into work. You would think hackers would try to be sneaky. In reality, they are more likely to put a severe hamper on your Internet to get the fastest speed for them.
Liability
In legal terms, you are responsible for anything that happens on your Internet connection. Cyber bullying is a real issue online and in real life.
If someone was to cyber bully someone and he or she committed suicide, how would you feel about that? You would probably be torn apart inside due to your neglect. You are also responsible for what other people do on your Internet connection.
By protecting your Wi-Fi, you will not have to worry about the implications of anyone other than yourself. Legal trouble is no fun, so do your best to keep out of it. Treat your Internet connection the same way you would treat your property.
Privacy
You are losing your privacy by letting someone utilize your Wi-Fi. It could be a harmless encounter, or you could be doing it willingly; however, for people that are not trusted or unknown to you, you should keep your Internet connection protected. You would not let a stranger glance at your paycheck stub or at your ATM pad. On your Internet, they can do worse.
Summary
Protection is your first line of defense against hackers, identity theft and cybercrime. Do not become a victim because of another person’s actions.