1. Securing a Wireless Network
10 Important Tips for
Securing Up Your
Wireless Network
David A. Abarca, Instructor
Del Mar College Computer Science & Information Technology

2. Why is Wireless Networking Not Secure?
Overlapping signals from neighbors
Opportunity for accidental access to wrong network
Opportunity for intentional access to your network
Uses your bandwidth
Slows your access to the Internet
Degrades your ability to download at high speeds
You PAY, They PLAY!
Vulnerabilities galore!
Wireless Security is weak
Wireless Hardware can create targets for hackers

3. Why is Wireless Networking Not Secure?

4. Securing a Wireless Networking
CHANGE FACTORY DEFAULTS
Administrator Name and Password
SSID
Disable remote / wireless administration
Change SSID or ESSID
Service Set ID or Extended Service Set ID
Used to identify wireless networks
Network Name
Don’t change the default to something OBVIOUS
Smith Family Network – ABC Company Net – Bob’s Network
Disable SSID or ESSID
Prevents others from seeing your network name
Makes it harder for hackers to find
Prevents “accidental” access by unwelcome neighbors
Default Admin Names and Passwords
Default SSIDs

5. Securing a Wireless Networking
Enable MAC (Media Access Control) Address Filtering
Every Network devices has a unique MAC Address
Only allows network devices you authorize to access wireless network
Helps prevent network access by “rogue” users
Disable DHCP (Dynamic Host Control Protocol)
Prevents hackers an “open door” to the network
Assign Static IP Addresses
Limits the number of devices on the network
Each network device has an IP Address that it will always use
Control Broadcast Area
Position Wireless Access Point / Router
Placement in the center of the structure can use the walls and outside structures to limit signal distances
Hackers have to be very close to gain access to the network
Do not place WAP by the front window of the building!

6. Securing a Wireless Networking
Implement Security
WEP 64 or 128 (Wired Equivalency Privacy)
Security Protocol
Uses various length “Keys” for authentication onto the network
Keys can be generated by using a passphrase
Encrypts the Data, BUT the key is easy for a hacker to break
WPA ( Wi-Fi Protected Access)
Currently the standard for data encryption on wireless networks
Available on Windows XP and enhanced in SP2
Disable File Sharing
Prevents data from easily being accessed across the network
Files not immediately available for viewing should a hacker arrive
Prevents “accidental” access or deletion of files across the network

7. Securing a Wireless Networking
Use a Firewall
What is a Firewall?
Perimeter Defense
Blocks unwanted traffic
Ports
Services
Types of Firewalls
Hardware Firewalls
Most wired and wireless routers have the ability
Software Firewalls
XP SP2

8. Summary No Network is Safe
Hardware defaults
Operating System and Application Software
Vulnerabilities galore
Security is a continuing process, not a one time project
Updates to Hardware
Updates to Software
Changes in Network requirements
Changes is Business requirements
Security Plan
Layered Security
Firewalls
Make your network harder to get into than the neighbors network

9. Q & A Any Questions?