Can viruses spread through WiFi?

WiFi networks can be a valuable tool for your business, greatly simplifying new hardware installations and allowing employees to work freely anywhere in the building.

However, it can also become a security hole, because poorly protected WiFi networks can be an easy target for hackers and malware to attack. Viruses can use WiFi to spread from one computer to another and in some cases, jump back and forth between nearby networks to find new targets.

Wireless network and malware

Connecting a computer or device to the network via WiFi is no different than connecting it to the network using an Ethernet cable. After connecting, the new device can view and interact with the PC and the server on the network according to the network sharing policy.

This means that any infected computer or device can launch attacks on other PCs on the network, infect and compromise them. If the virus takes over a machine with full network privileges, it can quickly infect any PC connected to the network.

Protection against viruses

To protect the network from infected PCs and mobile devices, you should maintain and regularly update anti-virus software. Protected computers can block intrusive attempts from infected nodes on the network and will prevent further spread of malware through the system.

Also, if you regularly provide network passwords to customers, consider changing your passwords every few weeks to reduce the number of users who can freely access your WiFi signal.

Wireless worm

In 2007, a study at Indiana University confirmed that malware designed to compromise wireless routers could move from one WiFi network to another without requiring users to take action.

These programs can take advantage of wireless coverage in urban areas, where multiple networks can exist close enough to allow cross communication. When a router does not succumb to infection, it can launch attacks against any other router in the range, spreading rapidly from one system to another.

Wireless security

The best way to avoid these types of attacks is to use strong wireless security. Leaving the wireless network insecure will allow anyone within the range of the signal to access your network and once connected, outsiders can launch attacks against your own computer.

WEP security is only slightly better than non-security, because the system uses static secret keys and outsiders can guess the key by spending time monitoring your network traffic. WPA2 security provides the network with the highest level of protection from external access. So consider upgrading Wi-Fi security from WEP to WPA2.