Wireless Security Focus on Encryption Steps to secure a Wi-Fi Network

Wi-Fi at home  Using a broadband Internet connection and a single WAP wired and wireless clients can access each other and the internet  non-computer devices can access the wireless connectivity to other devices or the Internet

Disadvantages  Easier to connect remotely (unwanted)  Encryption protocol can be broken  Passwords can be forcibly hacked

Tools to Protect a Wireless Network  WPA/WEP –Wi-fi Protected Access Point –Wired Equivalent Protection  Mac Address Filtering  Assign Static IP Address  Good positioning of the Wireless Access Point/ WAP

WAP/WEP  Wired Equivalent Protection –64 Bit –128 Bit –256 Bit Increased Security Decreased Speed

Wired Equivalent Protection  24 bit send rate  Total Size is based on Send rate + encryption  64 bits = 24 bit send + 40 bit key  128 bits = 24 bit send bit key  256 bits = 24 bit send bit key –Approximately 58 hexadecimal digits

Wired Equivalent Protection  The larger the key the more intercepted packets it would take to break  Warning: –There are programs that can break these keys –There are programs that create enough traffic of packets to break even a 256 bit key

Mac Address Filtering  All Wireless Cards have Mac address  Filters can be set to allow or disallow all Mac address listed  This mean certain computers can be blocked  Or only certain computers can connect *Note hackers can make fake Mac address to get on

Assign Static IP Address  Most users use DHCP technology which allows the router to assign IP address automatically upon connection  This allow hacker easy access with valid IP address  By Assigning Static IP address access is limited to only those valid IP address

Good positioning of the Wireless Access Point/ WAP  Wi-Fi signals normally reach to the exterior of a home. A small amount of "leakage" outdoors is not a problem, but the further this signal reaches, the easier it is for others to detect and exploit. Wi-Fi signals often reach through neighboring homes and into streets

Steps to secure a Wi-Fi Network 1)Change the default Administrator Passowrds 2)Turn on the Encryption Protocols 3)Change the Default SSID 1)This is the Name that will be seen by wireless devices. Default names tell intruders that the newtork is being poorly managed and easier to get into

Steps to secure a Wi-Fi Network 4)Enable MAC Address Filtering, this will force unwanted guest to use programs to create fake MAC address. 5)Disable SSID broadcast 1)This is used to create hotspot where client come and go often. In a home there is usually a consistent amount of people

Steps to secure a Wi-Fi Network 6) Assign Static IP address to devices 7) Enable Firewalls on Each computer and the Router 8) Good positioning of the WAP 9) Turn off the network during extended periods of not being used

Special Thanks Too  Google.com  About.com  Wikipedia.com