Wi-fi networks without password protection may create a risk of high security as it allows corrupt wardrivers to send unknown terror e-mails and enables access to restricted information, with rare chance of getting caught, reported the Times of India.

Wardriver refers to a person moving in a vehicle which is equipped with a laptop, iPhone or BlackBerry, featuring wifi networks tracing software. This software is available free of cost in the internet or are outfitted in the device. Almost impossible to find the miscreant, unless caught doing the act, discovery of open network  may also lead to identity thefts and corporate espionage. The terror emails sent from the wifi connections of an American, Kenneth Haywood and another email claiming to be from Indian Mujahideen, linking to Khalsa College, Mumbai, are appropriate example of vile deeds pertaining to unprotected networks.

Giving wireless network access within a 25-30m radius from the point of installation, unprotected network allows a wardriver to send emails and visit websites using the owner’s IP address. When this is practiced on a moving bicycle or motorcycle, it  is called war biking, and the term changes to warwalking or warjogging, when done on foot. A vigilante wardriver, Sumit Grover claimed to have reported many instances of misuse of unprotected networks to concerned authorities including the IT ministry, but it fell on deaf ears.

The falling prices of laptop and broadband has accounted for high rising wireless networking, giving a boost to wardriving. The Wifi Alliance has estimated the current value of wifi market to rise by 90% or more, reaching $900 million by 2011-12.  X