http://www.9news.com/acm_news.aspx?OSGNAME=KUSA&IKOBJECTID=1db245df-0abe-421a-019d-d112657c4feb&TEMPLATEID=0c76dce6-ac1f-02d8-0047-c589c01ca7bf By Ward Lucas I-Team Reporter 6/28/2006 DOUGLAS COUNTY - The Sheriff's Department says it's going to start warning computer users that their networks may be vulnerable to hackers. It may be one of the first law enforcement agencies in the country to do so. Wireless computer equipment and home computer networks are everywhere these days. Almost all new computers sold are used by consumers to network in one way or another to other computers. However, that wireless capability may be making those computers vulnerable to hackers. "If someone is driving by on the street they could easily use your internet access to commit a crime, whether it's fraudulent credit card transactions or surfing child porn or something else," said Brian Radamacher, a member of the Douglas County Sheriff's Special Investigations Unit. Wireless computer equipment sends out signals that sometimes broadcast for up to a mile. Other computer users can home in on those signals and use them to access the internet. Radamacher says hackers can use stolen Internet access to make fraudulent credit card purchases or bank transfers. He also says hackers can upload or download such things as child pornography. That activity would be completely invisible to the legitimate owner of that network. However, it could make innocent computer users vulnerable to having their computers confiscated during police investigations. "The unfortunate thing is when we go to issue the warrants or something else you may end up getting your computer seized because of it," said Radamacher. "A lot of times it can take months to get your computer back after the processing." The Sheriff's Department plans to equip several of its community service and patrol cars with devices that detect unprotected computer networks. In cases where investigators can figure out who owns the networks, they'll try to warn of potential security issues. They'll also drop off brochures with instructions to computer users on how to password protect their networks. Copyright by KUSA-TV, All Rights Reserved _________________________________ Attend the Black Hat Briefings and Training, Las Vegas July 29 - August 3 2,500+ international security experts from 40 nations, 10 tracks, no vendor pitches. www.blackhat.com
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