| The ultimate dream brought on by technology: lie down in the back yard, stretch on the couch or even lounge on the beach while surfing the Net. It's a reality for many Internet junkies, thanks to WiFi connections. But those naïve consumers who aren't taking safety steps beware: Someone out there (like your neighbor) may be stealing your wireless connection. Or, in the worst-case scenario, a hacker could use the vulnerability to tap into your files.
As questions about WiFi security continue to linger, a group of deft wireless computer enthusiasts calling themselves Wardrivers are using unsecured WiFi networks for a sport of sorts. Earlier this summer, hackers gathered in Las Vegas for DEF CON, the annual computer hackers confab which has traditionally been as much about partying as hacking.
The CON as it's called, celebrates the craft of hacking in all its forms. It draws a ubiquitous group of hackers, phreaks, hammies, crackers, cyberpunk wannabees, civil liberties groups and futurists as well as undercover law enforcement from all over the globe. It's also renowned for its no-holds barred open discussion of all ideas and the free environment to make new contacts. "Suits" (government and corporate people) are free to mix in and get an idea of what the scene is all about.
The newest group to become part of the hacking mainstream are wardrivers. Wardriving is one of the newest events, having only been practiced the CON for about the last three years — but longer than many people have even been aware of WiFi.
The rules of the wardriving contest sound like some tacky game. “The Lady and The Tramp,” in the easy category, has the object of being the first one to “compromise the 'Tramp' and the 'Lady' and then place your flag on the 'Lady.'” The “King of the Hill,” in the hard category, is even more cryptic: “Just like when you were a kid, the goal of 'King of the Hill' is to get on top and stay on top.”
Don't let those games fool you — what these gals and guys are after is your WiFi. In one contest, for example, participants had two hours to find 1,000 wireless networks.
The wardrivers say their intentions are noble. They say they are trying to raise awareness of how vulnerable computers and wireless connections can be, in hopes to convince manufacturers to produce better equipment and convince consumers to not disregard security.
What can you do to keep your WiFi all to yourself? Passwords, encryptions, limited network access are some things that can be done. Unfortunately, many manufacturers don't set the security settings as defaults when shipping them out; and for the average computer user trying to encrypt a network or take other steps can be very painful.
If in doubt, get the help of a trusted computer or network technician. Yes, it sounds like a lot - but think of how much more enjoyable surfing the Internet in your back yard can be if you know you were one step ahead of hackers (or your neighbors). | 
