Wireless Network Security Concerns

Source: TechRepublic (http://www.techrepublic.com)
Date: 14/07/2003


Wireless networks have many advantages over wired networks, especially when it comes to the ease of installation. However, this easy implementation has resulted in countless wireless networks being installed in areas where information security should have been the first concern.

It's scary, but I've seen hospitals, banks, and even government buildings running insecure wireless networks. In addition to the security holes, self-installed or economical wireless network gear has resulted in an increase in IP traffic leakage.

In the context of wireless networks, Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) is a contradiction. WEP is designed to provide a wireless local area network with the same level of security and privacy that's provided by a wired LAN. But most self-installed or economical wireless network gear doesn't even enable WEP.

So if you've set up a wireless network in an office, it's possible for the person across the hall to purchase a wireless network card and immediately access your network. This itself is a problem, but it gets even worse when you've installed a wireless network and you accidentally end up connecting to someone else's wireless network. The result is network problems that seem to defy explanation.