Cyber expert: Montana Legislature a lesson in wireless insecurity

It’s a common, everyday sight at the Capitol: Lawmakers and lobbyists standing in the hallways talking into their wireless Bluetooth headsets, and people in suits furiously typing on their laptops and iPads on the benches outside committee rooms.

Most people who work at the Capitol go about their business without giving a second thought to the smartphones, laptops and iPads that seem to be ubiquitous during the Legislature.

But when computer security expert and hacker Brad Smith strolls through the Capitol, he sees endless opportunities to steal address books and sensitive data — and even listen-in on phone calls.

"Most people have no idea that once they send their data in the air, I can just reach out and grab it," said Smith, director of Helena’s Computer Institute of the Rockies.

By JOHN S. ADAMS Tribune Capital Bureau

Full Story: http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20110122/NEWS01/101220302/Cyber-expert-Legislature-a-lesson-in-wireless-insecurity