Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Wireless Security
Many of us have wireless networks at home. Some of us secure them and use strong passwords in place of the default codes. Some don't. I know people who believe they have secured their computers and see no reason to restrict access to the internet connectivity. Well, here is one reason to reconsider that.
In Philadelphia, Gail Hoffmaster was ready to take her kids to school. She was stopped by the police knocking on her door. She was told about an investigation that was under way where an officer, posing as a 13-year old girl, had online chats with a pedophile. This went back to January when the girl provided a picture of herself at the mans request. He told her she looked hot. As time progressed, so did the chat sessions when the man actually showed his genitals to her through photos and a web cam. He also told her to keep their relationship a secret.
The investigation revealed that the Hoffmaster's internet connection was the point of origin. And while Mr. Hoffmaster could easily have been a prime suspect based on this, Christopher Brian Mcgee, the backyard neighbor, had provided a real picture of himself in one of the chats. Mcgee was using the unsecured wireless connection unknowingly provided by the Hoffmasters. Neither Gail nor her husband were cognizant of the risks they exposed themselves to. Neither claims to be internet savvy.
Mcgee, aka "Horndogg69761" is charged with three counts of unlawful contact with a minor and one count of criminal use of a communication device. Each charge is a third-degree felony punishable by up to seven years in prison. Mcgee is also being held as he tries to raise $750,000 for bail.
Many of us have wireless networks at home. Some of us secure them and use strong passwords in place of the default codes. Some don't. I know people who believe they have secured their computers and see no reason to restrict access to the internet connectivity. Well, here is one reason to reconsider that.
In Philadelphia, Gail Hoffmaster was ready to take her kids to school. She was stopped by the police knocking on her door. She was told about an investigation that was under way where an officer, posing as a 13-year old girl, had online chats with a pedophile. This went back to January when the girl provided a picture of herself at the mans request. He told her she looked hot. As time progressed, so did the chat sessions when the man actually showed his genitals to her through photos and a web cam. He also told her to keep their relationship a secret.
The investigation revealed that the Hoffmaster's internet connection was the point of origin. And while Mr. Hoffmaster could easily have been a prime suspect based on this, Christopher Brian Mcgee, the backyard neighbor, had provided a real picture of himself in one of the chats. Mcgee was using the unsecured wireless connection unknowingly provided by the Hoffmasters. Neither Gail nor her husband were cognizant of the risks they exposed themselves to. Neither claims to be internet savvy.
Mcgee, aka "Horndogg69761" is charged with three counts of unlawful contact with a minor and one count of criminal use of a communication device. Each charge is a third-degree felony punishable by up to seven years in prison. Mcgee is also being held as he tries to raise $750,000 for bail.
