NORWICH, Conn. -- Wireless technology may make connecting to the Internet more convenient, but if you're not using protection, you could fall prey to cyber crimes.

With wireless technology, you no longer have to be tied to a desk. As more computer users go wireless at home or at work, they could become vulnerable to security risks, especially if they practice unsecured file sharing, known as peer-to-peer.

Video: Police Patrolling For Cyber Thieves

Norwich police Detective Mark Lounsbury is a cyber sleuth who works with his off-the-shelf laptop and finds several wireless computer users going peer-to-peer.

"It is identifying its default (security settings), which means they didn't rename it. There is no password, it says unsecured computer-to-computer network," Lounsbury explained.

Officials have compared going wireless in your home and not taking the steps to protect your network to putting your computer out on the street and letting anyone use it.

Lounsbury explained how cyber thieves work, saying, "I go online, I (can) get some stolen credit cards, I go to some online merchants, I buy stuff have and it shipped to a P.O. box."

If you don't install the security features on your home computer wireless network, cyber thieves can park near your house, download your files onto their computer -- including your personal information -- and steal your identity.

"It's against the law. All I have to do is click that button on and I'm in," Lounsbury said.

Shawn Magliano owns City Perk, a coffee shop in downtown Norwich that offers customers wireless Internet access. Because others close by can also tap in to the network, Magliano said he took action to make his network secure.

"I use a separate computer for my business. The computer I use for my business is just purely for Internet entertainment," he said.

Norwich police are using a specially designed cyber crime unit to help teach students, parents and others about safe Internet surfing.

"You need to follow steps, encrypt (your software and information) and change certain information make to it a lot harder for the bad guy to gain access," Lounsbury said.

If you've already gone wireless or are planning on doing so, police have some tips when using the factory software included with your router and network cards that include:

1. Change the default SSID (network name)
2. Disable the SSID broadcast option
3. Change the default password needed to access a wireless device
4. Enable MAC address filtering

More Information: OnGuardOnline.gov provides practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry to help you be on guard against Internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal information.

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