Students become Wi-Fi police

JUST 12 per cent of Mumbai's Wi-Fi users have secure, protected access, according to a survey of 6,700 wireless networks.

From upfront Farnaaz, Ruzbeh andu00a0 Kaizad with a laptop that detects insecure Wi-Fi networks

JUST 12 per cent of Mumbai's Wi-Fi users have secure, protected access, according to a survey of 6,700 wireless networks.

So Vijay Mukhi, chairman, IT Committee, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) along with Indu Sahani, Sheriff of Mumbai and the Maharashtra police taught students to detect and secure insecure networks.

So far, Ruzbeh Raja (21), a law student, along with other college students surveyed networks at Churchgate, Nariman point, Colaba, Fort, Tardeo, D N Road and Worli. "Churchgate and Nariman Point were better secured than the rest. And commercial building connections were far more secure than public and residential Wi-Fi networks," said Ruzbeh.

The students trained under Vijay Mukhi back in September for over three weeks, once or twice a week, four hours each. "Terror mails sent from insecure Wi-Fi networks made me realise that I must help the city stay safe," said Farnaaz Kaladia (19), a BAF student, who also scans the city's insecure networks.

While Kaizad Marolia (19), a BCom student said, "Everyone can and should take the responsibility to secure networks instead of waiting for outsiders to do it. Router companies can give detailed instructions in manuals on how to do it."

"During our surveys of different areas, we saw that many people in authority did not know whether they had Wi-Fi networks, the importance of securing Wi-Fi networks or even what Wi-Fi is," added Kaladia.

"We conducted a survey along with the local police from Zone 1, 2 and 3. We are helping local police understand how to detect and secure networks. DCPs from various zones call us and tell us when they can accompany us to detect insecure networks. We secure these networks then and there and the police issues a notice warning them to secure their network or face punishment," said Raja.

Sanjay Mohite, DCP, enforcement said, "People should take securing their Wi-Fi networks seriously."

Plans to equip police
Mukhi said that there are plans to equip the local police with Wi-fi network detectors. He said, "These Wi-Fi detectors are not available in Mumbai. They are available on the net for Rs 1,500 to 2,000."