Does it really matter who has our WiFi password?

YES! Here's why . . .

When someone has your wireless password, it is no different than having a cable connected to your network except that it is more difficult to detect. Someone who has your password can position themselves outside of your office, in a neighboring office or building, in a vehicle, or even very far away by “extending” your network with other devices.

“So what? What’s the risk?”

Here is a short list of nefarious things that someone can do while on your network:

• Hack another company, launch ransomware, access illegal content, or steal digital content, all while using your IP address, which could launch an expensive and embarrassing criminal investigation.

• Slow your network to a crawl while downloading or viewing video, all without you knowing the source of the problem.

• Steal your data (think corporate secrets, HR data, HIPAA data, financial data, credit cards, bank accounts) and sell it to the highest bidder on the dark web, costing you a fortune in reputation, fines, technical remediation, and public relations fees.

• Infect your network with malware, delete your data, or sell your Wi-Fi password to others who will use your network for their own purposes.

This kind of crime is pervasive . . . and growing!

• The 2016 Norton Cybersecurity Insights Report found that the U.S. is the most susceptible developed country for cyber attacks. Around 39 percent of U.S. residents were victims of cybercrime, compared to 31 percent globally.

• In the past year, Nearly 700 million people in 21 countries experienced some form of cybercrime.

• A data breach costs, on average, 3.8 billion dollars.

“Wow. So, how can I prevent this?”

The best way is to make yourself a hard target. Criminals are lazy. They will find soft targets and leave you alone.

Start here: Don’t do it yourself. Hire a reputable IT firm to check your work or do the work. Use your time and attention to do what you do best. Let them do what they do best.

TIP: For your convenience, we have linked an easy-to-follow guide for granting access to Wi-Fi networks . . . HERE!