The issue of identifying vulnerabilities in wireless connectivity software on most laptops running recent versions of the Windows operating system has become a hot topic at the hacker conference held in Washington, DC.
According to security experts, this vulnerability can be exploited to gain access to laptops running recent versions of Windows belonging to other customers on flights. However, the affected computers must be those running Windows XP or 2000, equipped with wireless functionality, and not protected by firewall software.
Security experts state that the vulnerability arises when the operating system is configured to search for all available wireless connections upon startup of the laptop. If no wireless connection is found, the Windows operating system generates an “internal link address” to substitute for the “personal network,” which may correspond to the name of the last wireless network that the laptop connected to. The Windows operating system then shares that network name with other nearby computers. Consequently, two computers can communicate with each other via the same internal link address, allowing hackers to take complete control of your laptop.
Although Microsoft has affirmed that it will patch the vulnerability and adjust the default configurations in future Windows service packs, there are several ways to protect your laptop, such as:
– Installing firewall software
– Disabling wireless connectivity when not in use
– Changing the wireless connection settings on your laptop
