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• Archived Blog Post

  Date / Time: 10/17/2008 4:33 AM UTC

  Finally Wireless Without Worry - Meet Richard Pickett: WiFi Security Guy
  

  Have you ever experienced having a conversation on a technical or complicated subject matter that you had little knowledge or understanding but, the individual explaining it, did it in such a practical manner that everything they said made complete sense? Not only did it make sense but, you could explain it to someone else.

  There’s a distinction between being very knowledgeable about complicated material in your profession but, it’s a real gift to be able to communicate those difficult concepts in layman terms to another person empowering them with that knowledge. When that happens it’s powerful and very rewarding for all parties.

  Richard Pickett, The WiFi Security Guy, is that person when it comes to sharing his knowledge on the vulnerabilities of wireless security and how we are all at risk when it comes to wireless networks.

  Richard has been in the IT industry for more than a couple of decades which includes a decade in International IT security.

  He shares his story of how he stood before a group of business owners and ended up with egg on his face because he didn’t have the answer to one of the business owner’s question. “That’s great for business owners and corporations but, what about our families wireless security?” Thus was the catalyst for Richard to do something about wireless security for families and the small business owner.

  After five years of testing, research and development, Richard provides the answer to that business man’s question for wireless security, our kids, their families, and every business and businessman/businesswoman out there. No one has to be vulnerable, or at risk of wireless identity theft – stolen personal information – stolen passwords – stolen emails – or theft because of wireless vulnerabilities.

  I mentioned testing and development, well to date Richard has documented 26.5 Terabytes of encrypted data. Let’s put that in perspective, if I were to send you 500 emails a day, it would take me 7,200 years to complete 26.5 Terabytes. Richard has also blocked over 4,000,000 (million) attacks without one incident. As a CyberHood Watch partner, and an online security authority it is imperative to secure your wireless.

  I asked, “If it’s so bad how come the public doesn’t know more about it?” I’m not surprised with the answer. It boils down to profits and the bottom line. We did hear about TJ Max and the two million credit cards stolen because of an inadequately secured wireless. There were a few other notable breaches (Best Western – Monster.com). However, we have you looking over here, at the big incidents, while the average consumer has no idea how their every day wireless activities are absolutely open to and at risk to any hacker out there.

  This wasn’t part of the show but, I feel it will illustrate how dangerous and ingenious the criminal hacker can be. It was reported that an iPhone had been sent to the mailroom of an office building. What was discovered was the iPhone had been sent, turned on, to capture the wireless activity in the building. It is set up, so the package is returned because it is undeliverable. Ask yourself how many emails were sent and what confidential information was sent and how many personal emails do think were captured?

  To understand the significance of all this you’ve got to listen to the show and better yet, get to know what the six (6) myths are regarding wireless security.

  Wireless leaks a lot of information from your computer. Think of it as using walkie-talkies. Do you remember the phase not long ago when it was popular to keep in touch with kids at the mall? Here in Utah, it also included deer hunting season. No matter, the point being as you used them, you picked up other conversations. Wireless is open to the public and can be heard by anyone. And what you may not realize is, everything which is encrypted and safe, has to be unencrypted when sent out over the wireless network in order t be received at its intended destination. As soon as it is unencrypted when sent, is open to the public to grab.

  As the CyberHood watch partners have said numerous times, being a responsible cybercitizen encompasses an awareness of several technologies and good old fashioned civility. And thanks to the years of programming, development and research by Richard, the WiFi Security Guy, and his following-up to a question he didn’t have the answer to, when asked by a businessman, we now have the solution to wireless security.

  I predict we will see the WiFi Security Guy become a multi-million dollar company. Dave & Bill have had the pleasure to get to know Richard personally and we are excited to see his success take root and glad to have been a part of it. We’re glad to have Richard as one of our Responsible CyberCitizens.

  Be sure to listen to the show, you will be enlightened.

   

   

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  • Wireless Security
  • Wi-Fi Security
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