Title: Module 4 Introduction
Course: CET 2660 Network Security Fundamentals > Section: Module Four - Wireless Network Security

Introduction

Free wireless Internet connections are available in restaurants and coffee shops across the country. There is virtually no sector of the economy that has not been dramatically affected by wireless data technology. However, because of the nature of wireless transmissions and the vulnerabilities of wireless networks have been targets for attackers.  There had been significant changes in wireless network security today.

To connect your computers together has traditionally involved having some physical medium running between them. It could be phone wire, coaxial cable or the ubiquitous CAT5 cable. Recently hardware has been introduced that even lets home users network computers through the electrical wiring. But, one of the easiest and least messy ways to network computers throughout your home is to use wireless technology.

It is a fairly simple setup. The Internet connection comes in from your provider and is connected to a wireless access point or router which broadcasts the signal. You connect wireless antenna network cards to your computers to receive that signal and talk back to the wireless access point and you are in business.

The problem with having the signal broadcast though is that it is difficult to contain where that signal may travel. If it can get from upstairs to your office in the basement then it can also go that same 100 feet to your neighbors living room. Or, a hacker searching for insecure wireless connections can get into your systems from a car parked on the street.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use wireless networking. You just have to be smart about it and take some basic precautions to make it more difficult for curiosity seekers to get into your personal information.

This module explores wireless network security, attacks on wireless devices that are common today. Next, we will investigate implementing access control and authentication services.

Objectives

Upon completion of this module, the student will be able to:

Describe the different types of wireless network attacks
List the vulnerabilities in IEEE 802.11 security
Explain the solutions for securing a wireless network

Define access control and list the four access control models
Describe logical access control methods
Explain the different types of physical access control
Define authentication services

Readings & Resources

Chapter 8: Wireless Network Security p. 292-314
Chapter 9: Access Control Fundamentals p. 332-353