In the last 10 years, High Speed Internet and Wireless networks have become common place in businesses and residential households. The device that controls this functionality is most often called a router or a firewall. Sometimes people have a router and a wireless access point. What most people do not realize, is that these devices have a default login.

This default user/password is often admin/admin, admin/password or a combination that is often very easy to guess. If you can't guess it, all you need to do is to Google the model number + default password and a list of sites will show up with a list of passwords for that device.

What most people do not realize is that with this information it is very easy to put backdoors into your network, add a non-secure wireless network, and expose computers and servers to the internet.

Often I when I see an open wireless network at a client or potential client I point it out as a security risk. The responses vary from the fact that people forget the wireless password, or they would like clients to be able to access the internet, or even "It's the Internet, I don't mind if someone is using it for free."

If you want to set up a public WIFI site that is great but there is a proper way to do it! People don't understand that if you don't do it properly, anyone can steal data and passwords from you very easily.

You should never have an unsecured wireless network unless it is on a completely different subnet and you should always change the default password. If you do not know how to change your default password, you can call the manufacturer and they will be able to assist you.