Kaspersky Internet Security 2016

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How to enable or disable notifications of vulnerabilities in Wi-Fi networks in Kaspersky Internet

Security 2016
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2015 Feb 27 ID: 12082
When you are connected to a public or home wireless network, your sensitive information may be available to hackers if the network is not enough
protected. With Kaspersky Internet Security 2016, you can enable notifications of vulnerabilities in Wi-Fi networks to protect your data.

1. Vulnerabilities of public Wi-Fi networks

Risks of using public Wi-Fi networks
 In public networks, data may be transferred unencrypted, which makes your sensitive information (for example, passwords, logins, instant
messages) available to cyber criminals. As a result, intercepted email addresses may be used for spam mailings, or the contents of your social
network page may be changed.
 To intercept data, a hacker only needs to be within the range of the wireless network (unlike situations with cable networks when a physical
connection is required).
 When a password is sent in clear text (using the GET method), all information of the form is transferred as a part of the URL, for
example: http://example.com/script.php?login=user&password=12345678. In such case, your password is discovered easily.

Please note. A password-protected wireless network is vulnerable if the hacker knows the password (for example, a password-protected
network in a cafe, with the password available for all guests).

Types of attacks on public wireless networks

There are following types of attacks on public wireless networks:

 Sniffing . Interception of data (emails, photos and videos, logins and password) by a hacker within the range of the wireless network.
 Sidejacking . Concealed interception of identification files that may be used for any actions with the website (for example, changing
passwords, sending messages, uploading files etc.).
 Evil Twin/Honeypot . Information about your activity is intercepted by the hacker because you are connected to the hacker's wireless
network.
Wireless network protocols
The WEP and WPA protocols are considered vulnerable. However, WPA2 (both Personal and Enterprise) is considered secure.

How to protect data

 Disable shared file and printer sharing service for all public networks you connect to. Click a link that refers to your operating system to read a
Microsoft article on sharing files and printers: Windows 8 or 8.1 / Windows 7 / Windows Vista.
 Avoid sending and receiving sensitive data (for example, credit card numbers) over public Wi-Fi networks.
 When dealing with confidential data (passwords, documents, bank details etc.), use the HTTPS protocol or VPN.

2. Vulnerabilities of home Wi-Fi networks

3. How to enable or disable notifications

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Useful references
How to create a strong password?

Back to "Protection"

How to create a strong password?

Back to "Windows"
2013 Dec 09 ID: 7951
Using passwords is the common way of authorizing in various Internet services. Often a password is the only barrier on the way of malefactors who try
to get access to your personal data (information about credit cards, banking accounts, application licenses, personal IDs, correspondence, etc.)That is
why it is extremely important to create strong and secure passwords.

Follow these tips for creating a secure password:

 a password should be made up of eight characters or more;

 a password can contain digits, Latin characters, and special characters ("$", "?", "!", "<", ">", "”", "#", "%", "@", etc.);
 it is highly advised to create a password which includes a combination of upper- and lower-case alphabetic letters and digits;
 same password should not be used for different web services.

Try to avoid in a password:

 common words or set expressions;

 any easy-to-guess sequences like: qwerty, 123456789, qazxsw etc.;
 personal data: first and last names, your or your relatives' birthdays, names of your pets, addresses, passport numbers, social
security numbers, etc.; passwords from other applications (e-mail, databases, etc).
How to keep your password secure:

 do not tell your password to other people;

 do not enter your password on other computers (especially in public places);
 do not keep your password written together with the login;
 do not keep your passwords in a prominent place.

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