Chapter 17. Wireless Security

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This chapter gives a brief introduction to some of the security challenges implicit in wireless networks. The IEEE's certification for "wireless Ethernets" is classified and controlled by the 802.11 standard. 802.11 is further broken down into more specific certifications, such as 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g. Each defines a different method for providing wireless Ethernet access. Each protocol specifies various aspects of data transfer that distinguishes it from the other certifications.

Despite gains by 802.11g, 802.11b is currently the most prevalent standard for wireless LANs worldwide, and support for it is found in almost every wireless device. An 802.11b device operates by sending a wireless signal using direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) in the 2.4-GHz range.

This chapter assumes that you have at least a passing familiarity with wireless security threats (e.g., wardriving), that you have set up at least one simple 802.11 network, and that you understand the basics of WEP and computer viruses. We will therefore focus primarily on 802.11b security, how to crack it, and what defenses are theoretically possible. We also introduce the growing threat posed by wireless airborne viruses, and some possible countermeasures.

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Security Warrior
Security Warrior
ISBN: 0596005458
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2004
Pages: 211

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