Duesseldorf - Computer users who fail to properly secure their wireless local area networks (WLAN) run the risk of getting into trouble with the law. One recent case adjudicated by the District Court of Dusseldorf saw a pensioner convicted of music piracy, for example. Whether the man actually committed the crime himself or whether someone else broke into his unsecured WLAN connection was irrelevant, the judge ruled. The user bears the responsibility for his or her connection.

Those who prefer wireless internet surfing must heed security concerns, the German Federal Agency for Security in Information Technology (BSI) warns. Computer usersoften don't notice when a third party taps into their wireless network. Flat rate users in particular won't see the leechers' activity on their internet or cable bills. Effective protection is hence the first thing that new WLAN users should set up, says deputy BSI spokeswoman Katrin Alberts.

In particular, the default user name and password must be changed - preferably before the new WLAN router is used to connect wirelessly to the internet for the first time. "If you make a connection using the standard password, it's quite easy for a hacker to break in," the expert explains.

The encryption function should also definitely be activated. The BSI recommends using at least the WPA2 standard. "Anti-virus software and a firewall on the computer are the other components of a good fundamental protection," Alberts says. Another effective technique is simply to switch off the WLAN router when it's not in use. No matter how good a hacker is, nobody can hack into equipment that's not turned on. (dpa)