In October, a breach was found in the most commonly used WiFi security, WAP2, used by homes and businesses worldwide. The breach was given the acronym KRACK, for Key Reinstallation ATTACK. It affects smartphones, laptops, pc’s, smart house devices–anything that connects to a WiFi router. Your personal information can be stolen, including credit cards, social security numbers, bank accounts as well as any other personal information you may have stored on your devices.  There are several things you can now do to keep your information safe. 

• Smartphone users should update their operating systems as soon as possible.  iPhone users should be updated to iOS 11.1, and Android’s update from the 2017-11-06 update release should patch the problem. 
• The MacOS 10.13.1 update issued October 31, 2017 for iMac, MacBook, and Mac Pro corrects the vulnerability for those devices.  If you’re unsure about your device’s operating system, check for updates from Apple here. 
• Your home’s smart devices are vulnerable as well.  Individual manufacturers are supposed to be providing protection in their own updates.  To make certain, call your device’s customer service number in the owner’s guide, or look on their website. 
• If you use a Windows PC or laptop, your KRACK protection should have come in the update on October 10, 2017.   
• WiFi routers should be updated by their makers as well. Check this list if you would like to make sure if your home or office router has been protected. If you can’t find your router maker, call your internet service provider, and they can tell you whether your protected or not. 

The good thing about whether your home is safe from attack or not is that the hacker has to be in range of your WiFi service.  If you see any strange behavior near your home or even in your neighborhood, call for help, and shut down your WiFi until you know no one is trying to steal your personal information.  Take care in public WiFi hotspots, and if a business cannot tell you whether they have patched this breach or not, turn off your smartphone/device’s WiFi connection, and use data.   

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Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

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Photo Credit: Popular Mechanics