Tutorial 7: Wireless Networking

Data Transfer

Wireless vs. Wired

Wired connections use wires to transfer data on the Internet

Wireless communication takes place via radio frequencies, microwaves, or infrared communication

Networks: used to transfer data with wireless communications

• WPAN: Wireless Personal Area Network
• Very short distances (PC to peripheral devices, Bluetooth)
• WLAN: Wireless Local Area Network
• Usually a home or hotspot
• WMAN: Wireless Metropolitan Area Network
• Usually a city
• WWAN: Wireless Wide Area Network
• Country/World (Cell phone technology)

 

A wired connection is one in which a device and the ISP are connected using a cable

A wireless connection occurs when data is transferred to another location with the use of any wires

Security Concerns for Wireless Networks

Protecting a wireless network is complicated by the fact that a wireless network send its data through the air using waves that are subject to interception

WPA: Wi-Fi Protected Access, a standard

• WPA uses a pre-shared key to encrypt data and individual data packets are encrypted with different keys
• Although WPA provides good protection, one drawback is that all devices in the network need to use WPA

MAC: Media Access Control address, protects a network by only allowing registered devices to connect to the network

• The MAC address for detachable network interface cards is usually printed on the card or USB device
• A MAC address appears in the format 00:00:00:0A:0B:0C, as a combination of digits and letters
• If you enable MAC address filtering for a wireless router or access point, then it will only accept connections from the devices with the MAC addresses that you enter...don't expect your guests to be happy

Disabling the SSID Broadcast

• When a wireless router or access point sends out its signal, it also broadcasts its service set identifier (SSID) as a way of identifying the network's name
• The SSID makes it possible for roaming devices to discover the network and enables you to log in to the correct network
• Wardriving is a malicious activity that involves driving through a neighborhood with a wireless-enabled notebook computer with the goal of locating homes or businesses that have wireless networks in order to gain access to them
• DISABLE THE SSID BROADCAST

Methods for Securing Wireless Networks

1. Buy software that prevents unauthorized use, protects against threats, and monitors network
2. Be aware of other people when using your wireless device in a public place. DO NOT ONLINE BANK AT STARBUCKS
3. Change passwords regularly
4. Check usage statistics for unauthorized usage
5. Disable auto-connect feature
6. Do not store login information on your device