Deakin joins cyber-terror battlefield
Source: Geelong Info
By Jay Clark
Date: November 26, 2003
A DEAKIN University research team is developing a new weapon to fight the war against cyber-terrorism.
Professor Lynn Batten is leading the research into a new form of wireless network data encryption, which she hopes will prevent hackers from accessing major organisations' sensitive information.
Prof Batten said financial institutions, military organisations, hospitals, and governments who used wireless computer networks were currently at risk.
``Anyone in the immediate vicinity of a wireless network may have access to sensitive communications,'' Prof Batten said.
Prof Batten said hackers use a special card, which is inserted into laptop computers to intercept ransmissions.
``Wireless networks are easy targets for thieves and terrorist groups,'' she said.
``They target medical histories, credit card numbers and bank account details.''
She said hackers have begun marking pavements and poles opposite unprotected businesses in cities around the world and have published these ``warchalking'' maps on the internet.
Professor Batten warned people from sending personal information when using public wireless networks, such as internet banking on library computers.
The Deakin research team aims to create a new method of encryption for wireless networks using ciphers, which are resistant to cryptograpahic attacks.
Original article
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