I tried hacking my own wi-fi network and let me tell you, it takes time. Now, before you start howling about how illegal hacking is, it was my network, and I gave myself permission to hack it. I had the correct wi-fi card, but not a GPU and with a slow computer, it would have taken about sixty-seven years to crack my wi-fi password. Besides, having the equipment to perform hacking is not illegal, because it’s not the equipment that hack people. It’s people who hack other people. If you are still not convinced, let me explain it to you this way:
You are a rapist. Whether you’re a man or woman, doesn’t matter, because you have the equipment for it, don’t you?
It’s a well-known secret that you are tracked on the internet and social media. Hell, perhaps our smart speakers are listening to us — and what about our cell phones? But what is less well-known, is how easy it is to hack wireless networks. All you need is a bit of patience, a bit of technical skills, the correct (and often expensive) hardware, and Bob’s your uncle.
Wi-fi is Easy to hack…
David Bombal explains just how easy it is to break wireless networks in this Youtube video. Please watch it and follow his suggestions.
Now, before you get paranoid, run to your router, unplug it and smash it with a hammer, sit and think. Is your wi-fi really hacked? Mister Bombal is not trying to scare you; he is trying to educate you on password strength and cyber safety. Follow his suggestions and you should be just fine.
Your Wi-fi isn’t hacked because…
To understand how hackers function, you need to think like they do. What is their mane motivation?
Money.
Some people say it is information and money, but I disagree. If they capture information, they either sell it or hold it ransomed. The end result is the same: Money.
It takes time to hack something. Not just time, but a great deal of patience and some skills. Depending on the target, more skills are needed. The more skills a hacker has, the more valuable his time is, because even in the grey world of hacking, time equals money.
So, the simple question is not “Is my wi-fi hacked?”, but rather “Why would anybody try to hack my wi-fi network?” If you are not a business, financial institution or a billionaire. then you should be safe, simply because you are not worth their time and effort. I’m not talking about script kiddies.
They may hack you simply for the sake of bragging to their friends or to get free wi-fi, but, once again, are you worth the time and effort?
How can you protect yourself?
You can’t — at least not with a hundred percent guarantee. If they want in badly enough, they will. This is not just true for hackers, but for any kind of criminal. I have been on break-in scenes where they pulled over the front wall of the house with a jeep to get inside. It was worth it for them to do it, and so they did.
The only real precaution you can take is to use strong passwords. Don’t give these passwords out. If you have guests who want to use your wi-fi, enter the password for them and change it once they leave. Don’t tell people how many characters your password contains. If you have the know-how, apply good network segregation and hope you are safe.
Last, but not least: Don’t become complacent. Safety starts at home. Change your password ever so often. Don’t be lazy. If it means you have to find where to connect to the network in your big screen TV’s control panel, so be it.
Vigilance is key.