WIRELESS NETWORK AND ITS SECURITY

Prepared By :Prepared By :Mohit MehraMohit Mehra0902it1110450902it111045

RUSTAMJI INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

A wireless LAN or WLAN is a wireless local area network that uses radio waves as its carrier.

The last link with the users is wireless, to give a network connection to all users in a building or campus.

The backbone network usually uses cables

Wireless ?

Wireless LANs operate in almost the same way aswired LANs, using the same networking protocolsand supporting the most of the sameapplications.

How do wireless LANs work ?

• Point-to-Point

• Point-to-Multipoint

• Multipoint-to-Multipoint

Wireless network design

Any wireless network can be thought of as a combination of one or more of these types of connections :

Point to Point

The simplest connection is the point-to-point link. These links can be used to extend a network over great distances.

Point to Multipoint

When more than one computer communicates with a central point, this is a point-to-multipoint network.

Multipoint to Multipoint

When any node of a network may communicate with any other, this is a multipoint-to-multipoint network (also known as an ad-hoc or mesh network)

• Position the Router or Access Point Safely

• Create unique password on router

• Change default SSID name

• Reduce Wireless Signal Range

Disable SSID Broadcast

• Filter Mac Address

•Assign Static IP Addresses to Devices

• Check Who is Connected to your Network ?

• Enable Firewalls On Each Computer & Router

Anti WIFI Paint

Researchers say they have created a special kind of paint which can block out wireless signals.

It means security-conscious wireless users could block their neighbors from being able to access their home network - without having to set up encryption.

• Turn Off the Network During Extended Periods of Non-Use

•Upgrade your Router’s firmware

In 1997, the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) drafted the 802.11 standard for wireless local area networking.

In 1999, networking hardware companies accepted the standard and began manufacturing products using the 802.11b protocol which operated in the 2.4 GHz range and was capable of transmitting at speeds of 11 Mbps.

The 802.11a protocol was also released in 1999, operating at 5.8 GHz with transmissions speeds of 54 Mbps, but its cost was prohibitively high.

IEEE

IEEE Wireless Standards

Wireless Standard

802.11b 802.11g 802.11a

Frequency Range 2.4 – 2.4835 GHz 2.4 – 2.4835 GHz 5.725 - 5.850 GHz

Max Speed 11 MBPS 54 MBPS 54 MBPS

Max Encryption 128 bit WEP 128 bit WEP 152 bit WEP

256 bit AES

Discrete Channels 3 3 8

Natively Compatible

802.11b, 802.11g 802.11b, 802.11g 802.11a

Potential user Entry level and home networks

Larger networks, small business

Large business concerned with security

So why should you consider using a wireless network? More than simply a fun new gadget for tech-heads to play with, there

are actually many advantages to having a WiFi network.

For example, A home user may find it much more convenient to use his or her laptop

computer in the bedroom late at night and then move it to the den during the day.

A corporate user may find it very beneficial to have the freedom to work at one desk and then move to another without having to deal with networking cables.

A speaker will find it very useful to simply bring their laptop to the podium and give a presentation and not have to make sure the network is set up in that particular room, deal with the cables, etc.

Another main advantage is the simplicity of setting up a network. Instead of having to worry about wiring each individual desk or office to

the main server room, worry about which port goes where and which ports are active, you can simply enable the access point and give the configuration to any new user that may need access to the network.

ADVANTAGES

Ultra-high spectrum efficiency 5 GHz band is 300 MHz (vs. 83.5 MHz @ 2.4

GHz) More data can travel over a smaller amount of

bandwidth High speed

Up to 54 Mbps Less interference

Fewer products using the frequency 2.4 GHz band shared by cordless phones,

microwave ovens, Bluetooth, and WLANs

Cost 2.4 GHz will still has >40% cost advantage

RangeAt equivalent power, 5 GHz range will be ~50%

of 2.4 GHz Power consumption

Higher data rates and increased signal require more power

Disadvantages

Building-to-building connections Video, audio conferencing/streaming video,

and audio Large file transfers, such as engineering

CAD drawings Faster Web access and browsing High worker density or high throughput

scenarios Numerous PCs running graphics-intensive

applications

Applications

There is little wonder why wireless networks have become so ubiquitous the last few years. Wireless access points are inexpensive, easy to install, and most of all, handy. Although wireless networking can make life a lot easier for your users though, they can also become a security nightmare.

CONCLUSION

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