[RBS] [BS/RBS list] Enlightening and Frightening

[Eliyahu Shiffman]

My son, David Shiffman, addressed this very issue on the list a few
weeks ago.  Following is an edited version of his remarks:

After reading a recent warning about the vulnerability of home
wireless Internet connections to use by kids out on the street, I did
my own mini-research project.  I went around the block with my IPhone,
which signals me when it finds a "wireless point" it can access.
Almost everywhere I walked, it was signalling me!  On checking, I
found that virtually every one of these wireless points was not
password-protected.  Even in the case of those that are protected, a
simple program can "crack" the password.

While everything that was written about unintentionally providing kids
with uncontrolled internet access is correct, that is only half the
problem.  The risk to you of allowing others to gain free access to
your wireless internet connection is enormous.  One risk is "computer
vandalism."  Someone out on the street can go into your computer via
your wireless connection and delete files, change files, insert
viruses into your computer and insert "trojan" programs that can allow
anyone anywhere access to your computer.

It gets worse.  Someone who gains access to your computer can
essentially "watch" you use your computer, and learn your passwords on
Amazon, eBay, GMail, PayPal, etc.  (Some of you may even have a file
where all these passwords are listed!)  They could cost you huge
amounts of money.  They can also invade your privacy by copying your
pictures and files.  They can even install a password on your internet
connection so you can't use your own system.

Unfortunately, some of these things may already be happening without
you being aware of it.

I am an officer in the IDF engineering corps, and have been working in
computers since I was 15.  I have prepared high school students for
their bagruyot in computers, and plan on making a career in the
computer education field once I leave the army in November.

I am willing to help Beit Shemesh-area residents with their computer
and network security issues for very reasonable fees in the free time
I now have available. Because I am working only on computer security
issues, I am very efficient in determining quickly what the problems
are and how to deal with them.  I can not only make sure your computer
and wireless connection are password-protected, but can even hide the
fact that you have a wireless connection from outsiders.  That way,
they can't attempt to "crack" your protection.  I can also make sure
your anti-virus is working as it should.  (You do have anti-virus
installed, don't you?)

I am generally available to help you Thursday evenings, Friday during
the day, and Motza'ei Shabbat.  I am occasionally available Sunday
mornings as well.  If you would like my help, you need to arrange a
time with me in advance.  Call me at 057-815-6944.  My advice is not
to put off dealing with this until you have a problem -- deal with it
NOW before you have any problems!

David Shiffman

On Mon, Apr 13, 2009 at 3:23 PM, strenger <strenge at 012.net.il> wrote:
>
> Yes, please do.  My son was here visiting with his laptop.  I don't have
> wireless internet, but he was easily able to gain access to a number of
> people in the area's computers.
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: list-bounces at shemesh.co.il [mailto:list-bounces at shemesh.co.il] On
> Behalf Of Aryeh Sonnenberg
> Sent: Monday, April 13, 2009 9:47 AM
> To: RBS1; Rbs2; list at shemesh.co.il
> Subject: [BS/RBS list] Enlightening and Frightening
>
>
>
> I was driving away from my RBS home yesterday a little before 5:30 AM, and I
>
> saw a teenage boy running through the streets with a laptop computer.
>
>
>
> It was then that I realized that any unsecured, wireless internet could be
>
> incredibly dangerous.
>
>
>
> Please, if you have a wireless connection, password-protect it, and make
>
> sure that it is only filtered Internet (I recommend Internet Rimon).
>
>
>
> Aryeh Sonnenberg
>
> 972-54-499-1733
>
> www.jewishisrael.org
>
> 'The Land is Very, Very Good'
>
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