05/12/2007 by swordfish.

The protocol for securing some of Microsoft’s wireless keyboards has been cracked, opening up the possibility of keystroke logging, according to Swiss security company Dreamlab Technologies. Researchers from the company have said they are also close to being able to use the hack to control affected computers remotely.

Microsoft’s Wireless Optical Desktop 1000 and 2000 keyboards communicate by transmitting radio signals to the sound card in a user’s computer. The data stream is encrypted using an exclusion-or (XOR) cipher, which is not strong enough to secure the communication, according to Dreamlab’s senior security specialist, Max Moser.

Dreamlab started their cracking efforts six months ago. They first identified the radio frequency used by the keyboards. They then used a piece of copper wire to intercept the signal, which is effective to a range of 10 metres, including through walls and floors. However, because the radio frequency is in the citizens’ band — that is, it is used by CB radios — Moser said it would be possible to obtain radio equipment that could intercept the transmissions from up to 50 metres away. “Range is not a problem,” said the security specialist.

Source: ZDNet

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15/10/2007 by swordfish.

Although no evidence has been found of any harmful effects from Wi-Fi exposure, concerns have been raised over the possibility of such effects — particularly as regards the use of Wi-Fi in schools.

“There is no scientific evidence to date that Wi-Fi and WLANs adversely affect the health of the general population,” said Professor Pat Troop, chief executive of the government-established Health Protection Agency (HPA), on Friday. “The signals are very low power, typically 0.1 watt in both the computer and the router, and the results so far show exposures are well within [International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation] guidelines. Given this, there is no particular reason why schools and others should not continue to use Wi-Fi or other wireless networks.”

“However, there has not been extensive research into what people’s exposures actually are to this new technology and that is why we are initiating this new programme of research and analyses,” Troop said.

“We have good scientific reasons to expect the results to be reassuring and we will publish our findings.”

Source: ZDNET

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08/10/2007 by swordfish.

Fast food chain McDonald’s is about to roll out a free Wi-Fi service across its 1,200 outlets in the UK and claims it will make the company the largest provider of free wireless internet access in the country.

The move is in line with the McDonald’s strategy to shift the brand into a more upmarket space, currently occupied by trendy coffee bars such as Starbucks.

Last year the company commenced refurbishing 200 choice sites with a more muted green-and-yellow colour scheme, instead of the traditional red and yellow. The interiors were also upgraded with designer furnishings. At the same time, the company has diversified and augmented its menu to include healthy options.

It is hoped the Wi-Fi service will attract more business users into McDonald’s outlets, but chief information officer Ivan Brooks said the company expects its existing customer base to respond to the service too. It estimates a regular hotspot user who pays to log on for an hour per week will save as much as £260 per year on premium Wi-Fi charges.

Source: ZDNET

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04/10/2007 by swordfish.

BT and FON have finally confirmed their long-expected tie-in, thus creating the largest Wi-Fi community in the world.

FON was founded in Spain in early 2006. Broadband users who sign up to FON’s community agree to share their Wi-Fi connectivity through a separate, secure channel. They do this either for a 50 percent cut of the fees charged to their visitors or for the privilege of being able to surf other users’ connections for free, although the community has since changed its rules to allow its members to do both.

One of the biggest hindrances to FON’s expansion has been resistance from ISPs, whose terms and conditions have tended to prohibit sharing of broadband connections.

Now BT, the largest ISP in the UK, has given its approval. By doing so, the telco has effectively extended its Openzone Wi-Fi network across the three million BT Home Hubs — or at least those Home Hubs whose users agree to share their broadband connection.

Source: ZDNET

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