MSIT 526
Assignment 4
Outlines of Security in Wireless Technology
There is no need of proving the stunning success of 802.11, which is based on its development as “Wireless Ethernet”. Wireless technologies, in its simplest understanding, allow one or more devices to communicate without physical connections – without requiring the physical layout of network or peripheral cables. Wireless technologies use radio frequency transmissions as the means for transmitting data, whereas wired technologies use cables. Wireless technologies nowadays engage heavily in human life, from complex systems such as Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) and cell phones to simple devices that do not process or store information such as wireless headphones, microphones. They also include infrared (IR) devices such as remote controls, some cordless computer keyboards and mice, and wireless hi-fi stereo headsets, all of which require a direct line of sight between the transmitter and the receiver to close the link.
Comparing to the cumbersome layout of a wired Ethernet network, wireless technologies continue to improve in ease of use, performance, and reliability. It greatly increases productivity and flexibility in every business by providing anytime and anywhere access to business networks, and systems. They are gradually gaining a wider acceptance and implemented alongside LANs to improve network connectivity and scalability. In a nutshell, wireless technologies offer business organizations and Internet users four primary benefits: user mobility, rapid installation, flexibility, and scalability
Nonetheless, these same properties that make wireless networks so convenient can also leave them vulnerable to misuse and attack by unauthorized or malicious devices. Even though rogue devices and high hacking activities are the ongoing threats to corporate both the wired and wireless networks, the security issues in the wireless environment are much more stressed than in the wired networks because of its open medium. Today, characteristics of wireless technologies can cause headaches for network administrators and security officers: easy access, rogue access points, unauthorized use of service, service and performance constraints, MAC spoofing and session hijacking, traffic analysis and eavesdropping, and higher level attacks. As a consequence, network engineers and administrators need to do more than just scan for unknown devices: they must be able to detect, disable, locate and manage rogue/intruder threats automatically and in real time.
Network administrators had been very watchful on their networks in the past and now they must be even more vigilant due to new and open security holes when deploying wireless technologies. Security issues relating to 802.11 WLANs has not been positive and this causes some hesitancy among business management. However, reasonable precautions and vigilance can make wireless networks safe for any organization that wants to reap the benefits of mobility and flexibility