Hackers hit Perth wireless internet

Thousands of people with poor wireless internet security are vulnerable to criminals who can hack into their computers, download illegal material using their internet account and access personal banking details, police warn.

Det-Sen. Const. Jamie McDonald, of the computer crime squad, said wireless internet users were being targeted by a crime called “war driving”, in which criminals drive around suburbs until their laptops pick up a wireless network signal. He said many people who signed up for wireless internet accounts did not activate the security programs provided and default safety software could often be bypassed by savvy criminals in minutes.

This made it easy for hackers to access the wireless network and download vast amounts of material, including child pornography.