JAKARTA - When you decide to throw away or sell old computers or cellphones, you may remember to delete photos, messages, and other personal items. However, there are other types of personal data that also need to be deleted, namely the Wi-Fi network.

According to Kaspersky, it is very important for you to ensure that the Wi-Fi network has been cut off before you decide to throw away or sell the device.

Danger of leaked Wi-Fi access

Kaspersky said that accessing other people's Wi-Fi networks, such as using neighbor connections, would make it easier for other people to steal photos and documents from other network devices.

"Even worse is when the Wi-Fi network is infiltrated for illegal activities, such as spamming or DDoS attacks," Kaspersky said in a statement.

Using the Wi-Fi network that is found just once, attackers can hack the device inside (the routine itself, storage installed on the home network (NAS), video surveillance cameras, or other easily hacked devices) and then use it as a proxy server, without further assistance to Wi-Fi "services".

If it happens, of course, it is the owner of the hacked device that will bear the burden, such as their internet later, their IP address goes to various lists of refusals, and, in rare cases, they may be blocked by the ISP or even get a police visit.

Not only on phones, printers, cameras, and other devices on the office network, their Wi-Fi settings can also be used by hackers to attack the company concerned.

"By connecting to the Wi-Fi network, attackers can easily steal data and/or ransomware attacks," the cybersecurity company added.


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