Internet security expert Michael Kendrick demonstrates how home wireless systems can be compromised.

Internet security experts are warning homeowners to set passwords on their wireless networking equipment to prevent theft of personal data such as e-mails and banking information.

Winnipeg internet security consultant Michael Kendrick recently travelled through the city's downtown with a CBC journalist and, armed with a laptop computer and some detection software, found dozens of unprotected wireless networking systems.

“I can copy financial data off their machines," said Kendrick. "I can log-in, change their financials, pay myself money or, if I like to, just delete it all.”

There has been an explosion of wireless internet routers across Canada with sales in the millions. Most wireless routers come with built-in security features. The problem is that many people never bother to set their own passwords on their wireless network router — leaving the device on default settings, which hackers easily defeat.

Toronto police not long ago found a driver naked from the waist down with a laptop computer on the front seat of his car playing a pornographic video. The individual was "borrowing" wireless internet access from a house down the street.

Similarly, just last week in Tampa, Fla., police charged a 35-year-old man with unauthorized access to computing equipment after a homeowner noticed a suspicious car parked down the street and simultaneous internet connection problems. Then she noticed a small white stripe painted on the street in front of her home. Police told her the painted stripe was a tipoff to others seeking free wireless access, “just so they could see where to park.”

Internet security experts say not enabling the available protection is like putting a lock on a door, then leaving the key in it.

Unprotected wireless systems have been used to download child pornography. Thieves steal personal information, financial data, even hide software that records banking information. Most are never caught.

Many businesses too don’t have adequate protection – although some have shied away from allowing wireless networking within their offices due to security concerns. But homeowners, says Kendrick, seem to be the most careless.