Sunday, Feb.

9, 2014

B9

How hackable is your wireless network router?

ost everyone these days uses some sort of wireless network to distribute an Internet connection around their house or business to multiple devices. Most people also know they should password-protect their wireless network to keep away unwanted guests. But, what if there is something wrong with the wireless router, itself? What if it is flawed in a way that all the passwords in the world wont protect? In early December 2011, reports began to surface about a fundamental flaw that had been revealed in some of the most commonly used wireless routers found in millions of homes and businesses around the

world. Dave This flaw, called Wi-Fi Moore Protected Computer sense Setup (WPS), allows any bad guy with a semifast computer and half an ounce of brains to hack right into a wireless network, steal its password, sign right in and set up shop. Not all wireless routers have the problem, and some can actually be fixed. For some, the fix simply involves changing a setting in the routers internal configuration. Some can be fixed by downloading and installing

new firmware, available from the manufacturer, a process akin to installing a new operating system. Some can be fixed by installing firmware made by independent, third-party programmers. In all cases, the fix results in some way of turning off the flawed WPS capability. WPS was originally designed as an easy way for technically challenged folks to set up their own secure wireless network. Instead of having to fiddle about with obscure things called WPA2-PSK AES, Joe Sixpack could just push a button, type in a four-digit PIN code from the sticker on the bottom of the router and, suddenly, easily, with the push of a button, his

wireless network was secure. Except, it wasnt. It wasnt until the WPS flaw was fully revealed by a humble researcher named Stefan Viehboch that the major wireless router manufacturers had their Oh, no. Duh! moment and realized that protecting a secure wireless network with a four-digit PIN number is like protecting Fort Knox with a trilliondollar vault door on the front but a two-dollar padlock on the back. By then, though, it was too late, as countless millions of the defective routers had already been sold and were (and still are) in use. The flaw affects wireless routers from such esteemed brands as D-Link, Netgear,

Cisco, Linksys, Belkin and many others. The problem is so bad that US-CERT, the U.S. Computer Emergency Response Team, a division of the Homeland Security Department, issued a mostly ignored alert around Christmas 2011 that users of affected routers needed to take the problem seriously. So, here we are, over a year later, and I am still coming across defective wireless routers that have not been fixed or replaced. I was confronted with one today, a dangerously insecure but otherwise functional Cisco Linksys router that could not be upgraded or repaired to turn off the WPS flaw. When told about it, the owner replied, Well, Ive been using it all this time

and never had a problem until now. What they meant to say was, Well, Ive been getting away with it all this time, up until now. To find out if your wireless router needs to be upgraded, repaired or replaced, go to Google and search for WPS Flaw Vulnerable Devices. Somewhere on your router, a model number is listed, usually on a sticker on the bottom. Compare your model with the Google Docs list your search uncovers and take appropriate action.
Dave Moore has been performing computer consulting, repairs, security and networking in Oklahoma since 1984. He also teaches computer safety workshops. He can be reached at 9199901 or the site davemoorecomputers.com.

SPOTLIGHT
From Page B8

BUILDING PERMITS
The following commercial addition/alteration, commercial new shell interior finish, commercial 3-plus family repair, and commercial parking lot foundation only permits were issued between Jan. 22 and 29. Commercial Addition/Alteration 570 24th Ave. N.W. First American Bank & Trust relocate building entry $100,000 316 W. Main St. L C Miller Properties LLC Miller Vision Care remodel/renovation $200,000 220 E. Main St. Suite 100 Two Twenty East Main LLC Suite E LLC art gallery remodel $10,000 Commercial New Shell Interior Finish 3500 Healthplex Parkway Suite 208 Villano Salim LLC Endocrine Center $334,240 Commercial 3-plus Family Repair 1902 Fillmore Ave. Unit D Presidential Gardens Apartments repair fire damage $18,000 Commercial Parking Lot 2437 W. Main St. Reiger LLC Chick-Fil-A new drive-thru lane $90,000 The following commercial new construction, commercial addition/alteration, and commercial foundation only applications were submitted between Jan. 22 and 29. Commercial New Construction 600 W. Tecumseh Road Heartland Church new church and day care $1,700,000 201 W. Daws St. City of Norman Andrew Park pavilion $143,000 Commercial Addition/Alteration 215 N Ponca Ave. NPSLongfellow portable classroom $27,000 3308 Broce Court Fowler Realty LLC New Life Bible Church remodel $175,000 3700 W. Robinson St. Suite 144 Brookhaven Village Plaza LLC landlord improvements $20,000 Commercial Foundation Only 909 Brandywine Lane Carland Group LLC Bocage Independent Living Center $750,000 Commercial Certificate of Occupancies Issued: 480 Merchant Drive Ben Gray Harbor Homes Inc. office building $300,000 111 N. Peters Ave. James L. Adair office renovation $100,000 100 E. Main St. Anaitis Enterprises LLC law office interior remodel $7,500 131 E. Main St. First Fidelity Bank First Fidelity interior office remodel $58,233 1200 W. Rock Creek Road Norman Industrial Complex Phase 2 (area A) office remodel $75,000 Residential Activity Jan. 22 and 29 Five single-family residential permits were issued valued at $2,017,713 with an average value of $403,543. One two-family (duplex) residential permit was issued valued at $85,000. Forty-four single-family addition/alteration permits were issued valued at $373,009. Thirty-four of the 44 permits were storm shelters. One single-family residential permit was issued to repair a 2013 tornado damaged home at 11903 Camino Real Drive valued at $100,000. Full permit fees were charged. Seven single-family residential applications were submitted valued at $1,268,900 with an average value of $181,271. Two two-family (duplex) residential applications were submitted valued at $410,000. Two single-family addition/alteration applications were submitted valued at $27,400.

Acquisition
Enviro Clean Group LLC, owners of Oklahoma City-based Enviro Clean Products & Services, has announced the acquisition of Cardinal Engineering. Enviro Clean has offices in Oklahoma City/Yukon, Tulsa and Woodward/Mooreland. Cardinal has offices in Norman, Oklahoma City, Woodward and Tulsa.

Technology debut
M3 Technology Solutions, 2278 Industrial Blvd., has extended its partnership with IGT into the global marketplace by offering a customized management system to public gaming and video terminal route operators. Currently, M3T and IGT collaborate to provide route management systems in more than 1,500 Illinois locations.

Finalists selected
Ten finalists have been named to compete in the second annual Buffalo Lounge Buffalo Lounge Elevator Pitch competition March 10 at the Avenue on Congress, a restaurant and bar in Austin, Texas. Ten entrepreneurs will pitch their concepts for $10,000 in cash awards in front of a live audience and a panel of judges.

Above: Residents attend the Norman Board of Realtors luncheon Right: Warren Taber, 2014 president of the Norman Board of Realtors, welcomes Realtor members.
Photos Provided

Free travel guide

Frontier Country Marketing Associations regional travel guide assists visitors and local residents in discovering unique tourism attractions and destinations throughout the 12 central counties of Oklahoma, known as Frontier Country. Request the free 2014 Frontier Country Travel Guide at oktourism.com or by calling 1-800-FUN-OKLA (3866552) or 232-6552.

Lunch:
From Page B8 of the Year, Kiley Mayhue; Horizon Award, Jill Halloran; and Lifetime Achievement and Stellar Award, Gwen Holmes. A special award and recognition was given to Charlie Bowline in presenting him with the Lifetime Membership Award for his life-long commitment and hard work, not only within the Norman Board of Realtors, but for his efforts, devotion and contributions to the city of

Commissioner serves on board

Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Dana Murphy has been named chair of the Financial Research Institutes advisory board. The FRI is part of the University of Missouri-Columbias College of Business. Through its public utility division, it provides a neutral environment for stakeholders in the regulated public utility industry to come together to examine, understand and debate current issues relating to public utility policy. Transcript Staff

Norman. The Norman Board of Realtors members, affiliates and friends exceeded the record in recent years. Two hundred and eighty-five were in attendance at the luncheon,

joining together with anticipation for another successful year for the Norman Board of Realtors in 2014, with a special thanks to the affiliates for all their support throughout the years.