Thursday, September 6, 2007
Wireless
A wireless network is a flexible data communications system, which uses wireless media such as radio frequency technology to transmit and receive data over the air, minimizing the need for wired connections. Now you can take your laptop and get connection to the Internet wherever is offered wireless service. But you have to follow some security steps to keep your data safe.
How wireless works
Wireless (Wi-Fi) or 802.11 networks is a method of connecting a computer to other computers or to the Internet without linking them by cables.
Wi-Fi networks use radio technologies called IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b or 802.11g to provide secure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity.
Security threats
The most common wireless encryption standard, Wired Equivalent Privacy or WEP, has been shown to be breakable even when correctly configured
Some electronic equipment can interfere with radio waves and disrupt your Wi-Fi network
MAC Address Spoofing, etc.
How to protect your wireless connection
Change default settings
Use encryption
Use anti-virus software
Turn off your wireless network when you know you won't use it and also turn off identifier broadcasting on your wireless router. So your computer won’t send a signal to any device in the vicinity announcing its presence
Restrict the network to only allow connections
www.infosecuritylab.com
Bluetooth Technology
Bluetooth
Nowadays, more and more portable devices include Bluetooth technology. Bluetooth has been created to replace wiring like parallel cords and USB cables. With Bluetooth we can have more convenient synchronizing, file sharing, and printing. It uses a very low power signal and also preserves battery power. Bluetooth differs from Wi-Fi in that the latter provides higher throughput and covers greater distances but requires more expensive hardware and higher power consumption. Typically, Bluetooth wireless-enabled devices have a range of 10 meters and data transfer rates up to 3 megabits per second.
Where do we use Bluetooth?
- Wireless Networking between desktops and laptops, or desktops in a confined space and where little bandwidth is required
- Bluetooth peripherals such as printers, mice and keyboards
- Bluetooth cell phones – they are able to connect to computers, Personal digital assistants (PDAs) and to handsfree devices.
- Transfer of files between mobile phones, Personal digital assistants (PDAs) and computers
- Certain mp3 players and Digital Cameras to transfer files to and from computers
- Bluetooth headsets for mobile phones & Smartphones
- Medical applications - Advanced Medical Electronics Corporation is working on several devices
- Certain GPS receivers transfer NMEA data via Bluetooth
- Bluetooth car kits - Acura was the first motor vehicle manufacturer to install handsfree
How does pairing work?
Bluetooth Pairing happens when two Bluetooth enabled devices agree to communicate with one another. When this happens, the two devices join what is called a trusted pair. When one device recognizes another device in an established trusted pair, each device automatically accepts communication.
Security threats
Hackers can:
steal data from the telephone
make calls or send messages
conduct DoS attacks on the device
use a Bluetooth earpiece to listen to calls etc.
There are many ways how to hack Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as:
Bluejacking
Bluesnarfing
Bluebugging
How to protect your Bluetooth connection?
Configure devices so that the user has to approve any connection request
Turn off Bluetooth when not in use
Ensure discovery mode is enabled only when necessary to pair trusted devices
Trusted devices should be paired in safe environments out of the reach of malicious elements
Minimize the range of devices to the shortest reasonable distance
Consider installing anti-virus and personal firewall software on each Bluetooth device
www.infosecuritylab.com
Blackberry 8800: Your business and entertainment tool
Blackberry handsets have been designed primarily to help business professionals, and the Blackberry 8800 does this job efficiently. The device brings media and professional features together in its profile. The Smartphone looks very attractive in black and metal effect silver casing. Featuring an intuitive QWERTY keypad and a large 320 x 240 pixels resolution screen – browsing phone features is a real pleasure. And with light sensing screen – the device automatically adjusts lightening levels. Browse unlimited phone features and organize your personal and professional world in and out of the office.
With multitude of productivity and entertainment tools, the Blackberry 8800 is all set to change your mobile lifestyle. Send and receive emails, attach heavy documents or surf the net for latest news and information – the Smartphone is truly smart in terms of its form and functionality. The latest trend of hybrid devices in the mobile world is really a strong step that the mobile industry has taken and the Blackberry 8800 is one of the excellent devices in the same line up.Moreover, the Blackberry 8800 comes with advanced messaging services that always keep you in touch with people. Advanced messaging services include SMS, MMS, Email and instant messaging. With connectivity options such as Bluetooth, USB, GPRS, EDGE and more – connect and transfer documents swiftly in no time. And with quad-band network and embedded RIM wireless modem – stay connected with the people and the world anytime-anywhere.
In addition to productivity tools, the device offers lots of entertainment options such as a media player, MP3 ringtones, MIDI ringtones, downloadable games and more. Enjoy listening to your latest music tracks, ringtones or play games and refresh your mind. Loaded with an in-built 64MB of Flash memory plus MicroSD memory card – there is enough memory to accommodate multimedia files and documents.With the Blackberry 8800 – everything is possible. For more information of Blackberry Mobile Phones please visit our site.
