Surviving in a Cyber World
Huntersville Police Department
June 02, 2010
Wardriving
Google has recently been in the
news because they may have
inadvertently captured from
unsecured wireless networks
data sent from computers to
their routers. In other words,
any non-encrypted data sent to
the internet wirelessly could
have been intercepted.
Google collected this data while
their Streetview vehicles were
logging Wi-Fi hotspots. So,
what’s the big deal? Your
house could have been one.
The amount of devices that can
wirelessly connect to the
internet grows with every year.
Whether it is your laptop, phone,
X Box, or even your refrigerator
more and more of electronic
devices have the capability to
go online.
The term wardriving refers to
driving around with a device
capable of identifying
wireless networks and
recording the networks
found. Wardriving is not
illegal as long as the person
does not attempt to steal
any data.
Si vis pacem, para iustitiam
Volume 1, Issue 2
Introductions
The danger to those of you who Detective
have an unsecured wireless Walker is the
network or weak security on Detective from
your wireless network is that the
someone could be using your Huntersville
internet for unethical or illegal Police
behavior and you would most Department
likely not know it. that is
responsible for
To demonstrate the availability
cyber-crime. Detective Walker has been
of unsecured wireless networks
with the Huntersville Police Department
I chose four neighborhoods at
since November of 2008. Prior to that
random and equipped on with a
Detective Walker was an investigator for
laptop I began scanning for
the Durham Police Department where he
networks.
filled a similar role.
To better secure your wireless
Detective Walker is available for internet
network refer to the owner’s
safety presentations as well as general
manual of your router or the
inquiries about cyber-crimes. Detective
manufacturer’s website.
Walker can be reached at the following:
The results of my test are
102 Gilead Rd
located on page 2.
PO Box 664
Huntersville, NC 28070
mwalker@huntersville.org
(704) 875-6542
In this issue:
Wardriving 1
Introductions 1
Test Results 2
 Terms

Unsecured Wireless Network: a wireless network that does not challenge users for a password for access

WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy): the first attempt to secure wireless networks. This encryption was never meant to
be a long term solution, but merely a temporary measure until a more robust security measure could be developed.
Notoriously easy to break with little technology aptitude.

WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access): a certificate program that ensures compliance with increase security protocols. WPA2
is the latest version and features mathematically proven security.

Northstone Monteith Park

512 total networks observed. 314 total networks observed.
89 unsecured wireless networks (17.4%) 43 unsecured wireless networks (13.7%)
222 WEP secured networks (43.4%) 126 WEP secured networks (40.1%)
201 WPA secured networks (39.2%) 145 WPA secured networks (46.2%)

Grade Grade
F F
(61%) (66.2%)

Gilead Ridge Latta Springs

295 total networks observed. 169 total networks observed.
42 unsecured wireless networks (14.2%) 35 unsecured wireless networks (20.7%)
126 WEP secured networks (42.7%) 55 WEP secured networks (32.5%)
127 WPA secured networks (43.1%) 79 WPA secured networks (46.7%)

Grade Grade
F F
(63.4%) (63.3%)

Grading
Grades were computed by giving a full point for a WPA secured network and a half-point for WEP secured network, adding the two and divid-
ing by the total number of wireless networks. WEP was only awarded a half-point because this security protocol is no longer adequate for
securing wireless networks, but is better than nothing.