Hacker program calls wireless security into question

Ambitious hackers have an alternative option for tapping into sensitive data. AirSnort is a new hacker program recently was released via the Internet that takes advantage of wireless network broadcast signals over the public airwaves like radios and cell phones.

The program exploits flaws in an often-used encryption scheme for securing traffic on wireless networks based on Wi-Fi, or 802.11b. Computers linked with Bluetooth, however, are not expected to be susceptible to AirSnort or other hacker programs.

According to AirSnort’s programmers, wireless network users have not taken seriously the fact that there are flaws in the Wi-Fi encryption system and that businesses should be careful about letting important data go out on insecure wireless networks.

Kelly Carroll, staff writer