According to a PandaLabs report, they found out that WiFi networks are very vulnerable. Named “Security in Wireless Networks”, this report shows that WEP, the most used protocol in WiFi networks has many weaknesses, while WPA and WPA-SPK are more reliable. According to the same survey, almost 60% of the WiFi networks are insecure.

One part of the survey concerned the main protocols used, like WPA and WEP, and their weaknesses, and the security from the captive portals, the ones that regulate the open networks, such as airports, coffee shops, library, etc.

“This survey highlights security levels in wireless networks, examining security methods and how their design limitations, or even incorrect configurations, can make them vulnerable,” explains Luis Corrons, director of PandaLabs. “This will enable users to avoid the dangers that lie in waiting if the correct measures are not taken while deploying a WiFi network.”

While the most secure protocols, WPA and WPA-SPK are hardly used, the WEP protocols, the one with the most weaknesses it’s intensively used. So, the security in WiFi networks it’s insufficient.

This leads to attacks from hackers, who can enter this kind of networks, which are the entry point to corporate networks. They can use all kind of malicious code and enter the network or target a specific institution.

“Although wireless networks have not been exploited extensively for malicious ends, it would seem clear that users are not sufficiently aware of the threat this poses to security,” explains Corrons. “This is a highly sensitive issue for companies — if corporate networks using WiFi are not correctly protected, the scope of the potential attack is increasingly dangerous, as security could be compromised across the company because the WiFi networks represent an entry point for malware and targeted attacks through any of the techniques explained in this latest report.”

It is obvious that WiFi network security must be increased, or at least you must use other forms of protection at the entry points, so that you must be sure that your network is a safe one.