Wi-Fi Pandemic in our future?

British researchers from the University of Liverpool have created the first computer virus that spreads like the common cold meaning it spread like an airborne virus.

The new virus called “Chameleon” spreads by completing seven steps. First it identifies wireless access points with weak security. The virus then bypasses the encryption security on the access point. The virus then bypasses the administrative interface of the access point storing the settings and configuration, once the settings have been saved the virus will replace the AP’s firmware with the virus loaded firmware, reload the stored AP setting. Once these steps are completed the virus repeats the process by identifying more weak wireless access points.

The researchers said “It was assumed that it wasn’t possible to develop a virus to attack Wi-Fi networks” so they set out to prove that it could be done and that it could spread rather quickly in the public. With proper security configurations a user can protect themselves from infection through this type of attack, but I just have to ask WHY? Why help develop a new form of attack for hackers to exploit.