Investigative agencies have found that members of Indian Mujahideen, the terrorist outfit that claimed the responsibility of recent serial blasts, broke into the “insecure” WiFi networks in Mumbai for sending the terror mails.

Such “insecure” systems are aplenty in Pune, experts stress. The Pune Municipal Corporation, as a part of its “unwired Pune” project has provided WiFi Internet zones at J M Road and Bund Garden Road. PMC’s chief information officer Anupam Saraph admits that as of today the facility is available free of cost to all and no password is required to get into these

WiFi systems.

Internet security expert, Proshanto Mitra, who is chief technical officer of Balasai Net Pvt Ltd said, “Every IT Company here has a WiFi network. Almost 50 per cent of other corporate firms with broadband internet connections have acquired wire free technology. The number of individual internet users going for WiFi routers at home is increasing.”

Mitra said that 85 per cent of the WiFi networks in the city are not protected. “Forget about precautions, a majority of WiFi users are not even aware of the risk. I have an access to five WiFi networks in my residential complex itself. There is no security installed and a person with criminal intention can easily hack these wireless network for dangerous purposes,” he said.

Sudam Choure, chief co-ordinator of Pune Police Cyber Committee said, "Incidents in Mumbai are alarming. WiFi network of a college was hacked for sending a threat mail. Many colleges, hotels, cafeterias, shopping malls in Pune have WiFi connections and are allowing easy log-ins. There is no administrator to record the identity of those using the WiFi networks,” he said.

“When I sit in my cabin, I have an access to a WiFi network of a hotel located in the adjacent building. Application of proper security measures can avoid other machines getting into your WiFi. But along with it, we also need to have a mechanism for identifying the person getting into the WiFi system. If this mechanism is in place, possibility of breaking into the wireless network would be less,” he said.

“A major awareness drive is needed for securing the WiFi connections in the city. The issue was included in the action plan of cyber committee and was submitted to the former police commissioner Jayant Umranikar. We suggested the police to form a policy for commercial, corporate and home WiFi users that would enable identification of the internet user,” he said.

The Pune police have however not taken any proactive measures yet. When contacted, deputy commissioner of police (cyber cell) Rajendra Dahale said, “We plan to hold a meeting of internet service providers for sensitising them about WiFi security. The formalities for organising the meeting are on.”

Rohit Srivastva, an ethical hacker and founder of Club Hack, said, “Terrorism is not the only threat due to insecure WiFi network. There are other dangers like an attacker can read your confidential mails, credit card details and even chat with your girlfriend posing as you,” he said.

Steps to protect your WiFi

* Go for WPA (WiFi protected access) or WPA2 (advanced version) security.

* Set complex passwords

* Change router login password and WPA/ WPA2 password frequently

* If you have three machines at home, create an IP pool for three IPs only

* Configure Media Access Control (MAC) binding so other machines could not connect to your WiFi