Subscribe now

SETTING up a wireless computer network at home has never been easier or cheaper. But the freedom to access the internet from anywhere in or around the house comes at a cost: Wi-Fi networks leave home computer users open to unprecedented levels of security breaches.

Wi-Fi’s radio signals carry up to 100 metres, and anyone within range can pick them up. That’s good news if you want to take your laptop into the garden and connect to the net from there. But radio waves are no respecters of household boundaries, and that can leave the network wide open to an intruder operating a Wi-Fi PC from…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

Popular articles

Trending New Scientist articles

Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop