Author: Wayne Slavin

Attention, Wi-Fi users: The Department of Homeland Security sees wireless networking technology as a terrorist threat. Via [wired.com]

A key figure for standards body the Wi-Fi Alliance says the wireless networking industry will surpass the revenue of household products such as Budweiser beer by 2006. Via [zdnet.com.com]

AT&T Corp., IBM and Intel Corp. are expected to announce plans to deploy a nationwide network of public access wireless LAN hot spots, code-named Project Rainbow, at a news conference later today. Via [computerworld.com]

Start-up Newbury Networks announced a new application it says will help IT managers keep wireless networks secure. Via [news.com.com]

The low costs and ease of fuse associated with wireless network technology have helped ensure its rise in popularity among businesses searching for cheap, flexible IT solutions. However, while most companies appear keen to adopt wireless technology, many remain concerned about associated security risks. Via [thescotsman.scotsman.com]

Thousands of tech enthusiasts across Europe are setting up wireless communities to get free Internet access. Via [edition.cnn.com]

Carriers that want to build their enterprise base can benefit by including public WLAN services in their corporate offerings, report author Roberta Wiggins said, especially if such services are priced right and target business travelers and other mobile workers. Via [wireless.newsfactor.com]

Network Associates Inc.'s Sniffer division is adding support for high-speed wireless LAN networks. Starting this week, the company's Sniffer Wireless protocol analyzer will be able to troubleshoot for both 802.11b and 802.11a networks. Via [eweek.com]

Your users could be compromising the network's security by adding unauthorised wireless access points. Here's how to use NetStumbler and MiniStumbler to detect rogue access points. Via [insight.zdnet.co.uk]

Senators George Allen (R.-Va.) and Barbara Boxer (D.-Ca.) are circulating a draft bill to gain early support in the 108th Congress to promote a wireless approach to broadband deployment. An Allen spokesperson said the bill and accompanying "Dear Colleague" letter are efforts to "get beyond the stalemated debate of cable versus DSL." Via [siliconvalley.internet.com]

T-Mobile has expanded its U.S.-originated wireless local area network strategy to Europe, rolling out the service in hot spots in Germany and Austria. Via [rcrnews.com]

Communications equipment maker Proxim became the latest company to sell high-powered Wi-Fi networks that travel long distances, essentially providing buyers with an "ISP in a box," the company's Chief Executive, Jonathan Zakin, said this week.

Hundreds of wireless networks that offer free high-speed Internet access are sprouting across the USA. They're in a park in Midtown Manhattan, a housing project in Boston, a movie house pub in Austin and along the waterfront in Portland, Ore. Via [usatoday.com]

During the past year, wireless LAN security threats have multiplied, according to users, vendors and consultants. There are more attack applications available, the applications are more sophisticated and highly automated and the weaknesses of various wireless hardware and software products are documented more extensively and precisely. Via [nwfusion.com]

When Gartner Inc. security analyst John Pescatore wants to illustrate the wide-open nature of wireless LANs to enterprise clients, he tells them to check out the NetStumbler.com Web site. On the site is a map that starkly illustrates the vulnerabilities of 25,000 exposed wireless LANs across the country. Via [computerworld.com]