Wireless connections are easy to set up and very convenient, allowing users to browse the Internet from just about anywhere.

But there are some security risks that come along with a wireless connection if it's not set up properly.

Many people have substituted their wired networks for their wireless network. But, a self-proclaimed computer hacker, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said wireless users could be putting their personal information in jeopardy.

"They forget when they shop over the Internet that stuff is being broadcast over the airwaves," said Kevin. "Even though the chances are small ... if you live in a highly-populated neighborhood or apartment building, when stuff is sent out, it can be sent anywhere."

He said anyone within range of a user's unsecured wireless network can steal personal information without getting out of their car.

"You can packet sniff for credit card information, addresses, Social Security numbers -- basically enough to commit any type of identity fraud you can imagine. There are also issues with someone using your computer connection for malicious intent: downloading stuff that you should not be downloading and performing hacks on other people's systems," he said.

If someone is using an Internet connection that's not theirs to commit a crime, investigators would trace that usage back to the name on the Internet access account.

"We can put stuff on their computer where it will forward us the information. Rather than us having to sit outside in a car it will say, 'Oh that's credit card information, and forward it to an e-mail address (just) because you didn't change the default password on your router."

Garrett Roen recently conducted a senior research project at Penn State Dubois on wireless networks. To demonstrate how easy it is to access unsecured connections, Roen used a simple laptop and a GPS device to map out all of the unsecured networks in Dubois' East Side neighborhood.

"This software is -- multiple times per second -- sending out requests, basically asking anything within its range - saying "are there any routers out there?" and every little beep you hear, it's actually finding an access point," Roen said.

Kevin said hacking is "so simple, it's scary."

"A lot of it is built into Windows. You right-click and connect and Windows does the work because it's an open door," he said.

Roen said nearly all of the wireless access points he found are "absolutely insecure."

"If your access point is secure, no one is going to sit around and try to break into your access point when there's 100 in your three-block radius that aren't secure," Roen said.

To protect themselves, users are advised to follow the simple steps found in their router's user manual. Every router on the market has built-in security measures.

"Wireless is here to stay and it's a good thing," Kevin said. "But if people don't take responsibility, they're just asking for it."