There is a new hacking threat that everyone out there needs to be made aware of. In a process called “War driving” hackers are using Amped up antennas to check areas for unsecured wireless access points. They drive through our neighborhoods, apartment complexes, and business districts scanning the air-waves for routers that allow anyone to log on. These hackers keep record of where they find unsecured networks by using GPS software, allowing them to return if they choose to. Using an unsecured wireless network, hackers can anonymously read any un-encrypted data being sent over the air, inject their own false data, or even commit electronic crimes.

The problem in all this is that many routers are not secured by default, so these hackers have plenty of options open to them. Securing a router is a simple and relatively easy process once you know how to do it, but it is an often overlooked step. Many home internet users tend to either leave their routers unsecured, or have a technician at FireFold do it for them(for a nominal fee of course).

Fox News Charlotte recently did a report on War driving, describing it to viewers. Our own Robbie Hodge was available for comment and made an appearance during their story to talk about the dangers of War driving.

On Tuesday night, FireFold.com sponsored the 2008 Summer Shootout at Lowes Motor Speedway. The night featured some of the area’s top amateur and semi-professional drivers in their bandeleros,roadsters, and legends cars, as well as kids races to get the evening started.

FireFold employees came out to help represent their company by playing games, applying temporary tattoos, and passing out information about our services. Chris Grouse also made an appearance in the FireFold Versa to bring out the official green flag after Holly addressed the audience.

Kyle, who was the runner up in our raffle contest, came to wave the green flag at the start of the adult league races. Thanks go out to the Lowes Motor Speedway for hosting the event, Kyle for starting the race, and all of the employees at FireFold for coming out to help with the event.

Here are some pictures of the event:

Television has been around since the 1930s, and back then, the only channels you received came over the air to your antenna. Now we have cable and satellite providers, but these technologies are still out of reach or out of budget for many Americans. This means that, in early 2009, when the broadcasters stop sending out analog signals and send only digital, many Americans are going to be without TV. There is hope for most of these people though, if they decide to take advantage of new technology designed to allow them to keep their old TV set. Viewers can simply purchase a converter box and Digital Antenna in order to receive broadcast channels over the air. The analog to digital switch only affects antenna users, and paying cable and satellite users will not need to purchase the new gear.

The US congress has even issued coupons to help subsidize the cost of upgrading. According to some sources, such as the Going Digital Blog, a large number of Americans allow the coupons to expire before they are used. Americans don’t seem to be taking the switch seriously yet, but I imagine there will be some commotion once the switch actually occurs.