Avast has been my security choice for several years now and it has never let me down.
I have to admit I am a curmudgeon when it comes to changing
my security on the word of someone else. There has to be a
need I see that endangers what I use before I do the big
switch. And then only when I have done sufficient
investigating to warrant the risks.
On that note, here is a security issue created for WI-FI
users who trust in the WPA2 security protocol.
Read it, heed it and follow up on any recommendations
Guest post by; Juraj Chrappa, 24 October 2017
With the industry standard for Wi-Fi security now flawed,
you need to provide your own protection. Here’s how.
It’s been a big news week in the world of Wi-Fi. The WPA2
security protocol, which for over ten years has been widely
regarded as the safest way to use Wi-Fi, was discovered to
have a serious security vulnerability. What does this mean
for you, for us, and for all those people down at your
local coffee shop using an unprotected Wi-Fi network as you
read this? The following questions are designed to help us
get some definitive answers:
1. What is WPA2 in the first place?
WPA2 is the third evolution of Wi-Fi security protocols.
First came Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), which was the
standard for several years beginning in 1999. In 2003 the
Wi-Fi Alliance formally adopted Wi-Fi Protected Access
(WPA) as the new standard, and then in 2006 WPA2 officially
began its reign as the best Wi-Fi security to date.
2. Since when has it been vulnerable to attacks?
Since always. Incredibly, however, it was just discovered
this week. WPA2 uses a security component called a
“four-way handshake.” It’s a process that occurs in the
first moment a new computer or device connects to a Wi-Fi
signal. During the handshake, the Wi-Fi network
authenticates itself to the computer and generates a
one-time encryption key for the Wi-Fi session. On October
17, a security researcher named Mathy Vanhoef discovered an
attacker within the Wi-Fi’s range could use key
reinstallation attacks (KRACKs) to trick the handshake into
reinstalling a used encryption key. Doing this then allows
the attacker onto your network, free to use it just as you
do, accessing your personal data and possibly injecting
some ransomware or malware.
3. Can it be fixed?
Yes, it can be patched: security teams are hard at work
developing those necessary patches right now. The patches
will fortify the handshake to ensure that each encryption
key is used only once, thus preventing KRACK attacks (which
may be fun to say, but the experience of one is not). So
make sure you keep all of your devices updated—your
computers, smartphones, home routers, and any other
Wi-Fi-enabled devices you may have. Some vendors reacted
quickly and already released security patches. For those
not there yet, download the next software updates as soon
as they are available.
4. Do I need to take any additional protective measures?
We strongly suggest you do. The smartest way to use Wi-Fi
safely is to utilize a virtual private network (VPN). It
protects your privacy online and ensures you are using an
encrypted channel. VPNs are essential if you spend any time
on public Wi-Fi networks—in coffee shops, airports, hotels,
etc.—but they also protect you at home. Your web browsing
should be for your eyes only, not for any hacker that can
infiltrate your unprotected network.
5. Is Avast SecureLine VPN a strong solution?
Yes, it is. Avast SecureLine VPN gives you real privacy,
hiding your online activities from hackers, advertisers,
and even your own internet provider. You won’t be tracked,
and your data won’t be stolen. We use bank-grade encryption
to keep you safe on any network. Plus, because Avast
SecureLine VPN makes you anonymous and hides your IP
address, locality-limited content blocks don’t affect you.
And while some VPNs can slow down a system, we are
constantly upping the server speed and performance of Avast
SecureLine.
This WPA2 discovery rocked the digital world, but there’s
no need to panic. The solutions are out there. Keep all
your software up-to-date, and use a VPN for all your Wi-Fi
needs. Remember, your online privacy is not your privilege,
it’s your right! Take the necessary steps to keep yourself
safe by downloading Avast SecureLine VPN today.
Until next time …
Be safe and secure in your use of the Internet.
Fran Klasinski – warriorlady
Mentoring you with common sense
Marketing with Finess.
Join me on skype: fran,Klasinski
My skype room: https://join.skype.com/qhKVpdJZEDGG
© 2017 – 2018, Fran Klasinski. All rights reserved. on republishing any parts of this post, you must supply a link to the original post
