Serious security risk warning to Argyll subscribers to BT wifi Broadband

It has just been revealed that several hundred thousands of BT Broadband subscribers are vulnerable to hacking and personal data theft through the Home Hub boxes BT install for domestic wifi networking. BT has been aware of the problem for several months but has neglected to inform its customers either of the risk or of the simple fix that can resolve it. NCC Group, one of only three UK businesses accredited at the highest level, said that computer experts have been discussing this situation for months. BT admit to being aware of the problem but ‘don’t believe it is something that should affect the majority of BY customers’. On the other hand, NCC Group’s Technical Director, Paul Vlissidis, says that the teenage equivalent of a phone-box vandal could get into Home Hubs – ‘in the jargon of the hackers, this is a simple exploit’. He says that ‘a skilled hacker would have the opportunity to take total control over systems, including planting softare to steal passwords to bank accounts or capture credit card details.’

The problem is a fault in the password supplied to ‘secure’ the wifi network. All hackers need to do is try out a few permutations – rather than the billions that are desirable – to get into your system. BT describe this as a ‘theoretical’ attack, which Vlaissidis brushes aside, describing it as an ‘entirely practicable’ attack.

BT Broadband customers in Argyll with Home Hub boxes are advised to contact BT’s help service for advice on how better to protect their computer.