ORLANDO, Fla. -- A Problem Solvers investigation found that unsecure wireless networks in Central Florida may be putting your personal information at risk.

Problem Solver Steven Cooper showed how easy it is for a hacker with a notebook computer to identify and enter a wireless access point at homes, businesses, and even doctor's offices.

The report explained that the practice of "war driving" is when a computer user takes a computer loaded with specialized software on the road and actually logs into an unprotected wireless network, Local 6 News reported.

"A wireless Internet connection operates the same way that a broadcast radio station does," Octurnis.com spokesman Phil Dumas said. "It has a specific frequency that it operates on and it broadcasts a signal."

Cooper found several unsecured networks around Central Florida.

"If we had bad intentions to, we could go out on the Internet and cause mischief," Dumas said.

Wireless Internet connections in the home and office are becoming increasingly popular. It allows users to send e-mail and surf the Internet without being tied to a desk.

Local 6 News reported that the technology is widely available at electronic stores but it also widely exploited by hackers.

Hackers are able to log into a wireless network and rummage through computers on the network.

Local 6 News was able to pick up signals at several apartment complexes, business parks and even doctor's offices.

"We don't have to have physical access to the computer, (but) we don't need physical access to the residence," Dumas said. "As you can see, we are not even sure which residence it is, but we can sit here and hack their computer if it is turned on."

The practice of hacking into a businesses computer is illegal, especially at doctor's offices after the Patient Privacy Act went into effect last week.

Friday at 6 p.m., Local 6 News will continue the investigation and question a doctor's office about their exposed wireless network.