Everything you need to know about “Krack Attacks”
A major new security flaw has been discovered and it affects practically everyone that uses wi-fi. It’s called Krack, short for Key Reinstallation Attack, and is basically a way for hackers to decrypt and spy on anything you do online. The security challenges present in the 21st century have generally become too complex for wi-fi to handle. Most people tend to ignore what security experts advise when cautioning the use of wi-fi, which they do with very good reason.
This includes any passwords you type in, any conversations you’re having, and even the documents you may be submitting. What makes it particularly dangerous is that it’s not limited to a certain type of machine, but functions solely on a weakness in how WPA2 security was designed. WPA2 is the encryption method used by almost all wi-fi networks.
A researcher from a Belgian university discovered the flaw and published a paper on it. The demo used to illustrate his findings was done on an Android system, but it is also possible to do the same with other systems, including Apple and Microsoft. The technical details can be explained when clicking on this link.
The vulnerability can be prevented by using patches on all networks and devices. All the average person needs to worry about is making sure that all devices are updated. Changing your password does not matter in this particular situation and defeating Krack requires wi-fi users to download software updates as soon as possible. If you have a device that is not patched, patch it up immediately or risk being targeted.
The information being sent from your devices may well be compromised if you aren’t careful about security. Although there is no evidence of this attack using stolen information maliciously, not yet that it is… One should take the necessary steps to control your online security.
