Washington's WiFi network not secure.

It appears, by this report anyway, that government agencies can be eavesdropped due to their broadband wi-fi not being secure.

A hacker on a park bench could log onto dozens of US government computer networks thanks to slipshod security standards at many agencies, according to a new report.

The report, by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that few government agencies can ensure that their wireless networks are protected from unauthorised access.
Government agencies shouldn't set up high-speed wireless broadband networks, known as until they have figured out a way to secure them, according to guidelines issued by the National Institute for Standards and Technology.

But nine of the 24 major agencies had not issued wireless-security plans, while many others provided little guidance for acceptable use, the GAO found.

Source

Sanc'.

Ahahahahahaha

Duh.

I would seriously hope no government agency is stupid enough to transmit sensitive data over a 802.11b/e/g WiFi connection!
WEP (Wireless Encryption Protocol) is a joke and takes about a day to crack for the strongest level of encryption, 128bit. There are 256, 512, and 1024bit WEP routines, but theyre really just fancied up 128bit schemes.

The only way to make WiFi even remotely secure is through static MAC address tables, IPSec, and pass-check VPN. But with enough effort someone can weave their way through all this too. Basically, if it goes over the air, you are broadcasting to every single person within range. All someone has to do is listen.