Computer fraudsters | | Do you know who is hacking into your computer system? |
Inside Out lifts the lid on the virtual burglars who are committing crime and leaving the public to face the consequences. With new technology these new style burglars can peer right into our homes and rummage right through our personal lives - without us even noticing. When you leave your house, you lock the door and hope no one is going to get in while you're away. But Inside Out has discovered that when it comes to people's computers, it's a very different matter. Some of us are leaving the door wide open, and anyone could be looking through your bank statements and private documents. Getting connected
Inside Out looks at a street which was the scene of one of these unusual crimes. Residents noticed a man acting strangely - he was on a laptop. Eventually the police were called, and he became the first person in the country to be prosecuted and fined for using someone else's broadband,
So how could this happen? A broadband internet connection is a quick way for people to surf the Internet - it's becoming cheaper too so more people are getting connected. But companies are now offering something extra - wireless broadband. A box in the corner sends out a signal to your computer here so you can use the Internet anywhere in the house. But so can anyone else close by - it's a frightening prospect. Computer security Phil Cracknell advises businesses on how to improve their computer security.  | | Computer crime - are you an unwitting victim? |
He demonstrated to Inside Out how easy it is to 'piggy-back' someone else's wireless broadband connection which is unsecure. In other words an Internet connection which isn't locked can be used by others. In just half an hour we found more than half the broadband connections we tested were unsecure. At the very least we could surf the Internet on someone else's connection, but we could also spy on the owners too. There's also nothing to stop thieves illegally downloading music or even child pornography, and if the police came knocking, it's you they'd think had done it, as the broadband is in your name. Top tips So to ward off unwelcome visitors here are three easy steps to protect your broadband: * Put on a password to make the connection secure. * Make sure only your computers are allowed to connect to the system. * Position your wireless box in the middle of the house, not by a window.
And until we take these simple steps, the virtual burglars could be snooping round your neighbourhood. Links relating to this story:The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites | 
Inside Out - North East: Monday January 16, 2006
