WLAN Security

Offices, coffee shops, and schools have increased their usage of the Internet almost 150% since 1995. The deployment of Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) throughout major cities has taken heed to a growing problem: the security of the network you're using. While it's obviously better not to post personal information on the Internet, the increased usage of online banking and the emergence of Myspace demand more secure connections and questions: how can I be sure my connection is safe?

For anyone who really wanted to hack into the WLAN of a building or home, it's frightening to realize it can be done with a simple antennae. WLANs operate on radio frequency range 802.11, the most popular being 802.11c where most wireless homes fall. The widespread usage of this signal came about during WWII because of its ability to keep the opposing side from jamming radio signals. Recently, the frequency is used because of the versatility of its location. From almost anywhere in the world, the tuning of this frequency almost guarantees an Internet connection.

The first step toward better WLAN security was the service set identifier (SSID). It had to match the users personal network information center (NIC) included with the user's Internet package. The best example of this would be that pass code AOL includes in their free trial periods. The problem with the SSID is once used, it's constantly passing through your network. It's broadcasted several times per second and a hacker merely has to use an analyst tool (Windows XP is sufficient at this) to pick up on it.

As a second attempt to increase WLAN security, developers created the wired equivalent privacy (WEP) key; sort of a pass code up to 40 bits long that guarantees the authentication of the user. Most computers require both the SSID and the WEP key before you log into the network and again when passwords and emails are used. It works by encrypting the information before it's sent over the network in the same encryption depending on the pass code the user chooses. However, getting around the WEP is no real problem for hackers who really want to get into the network. By monitoring it for about a day, the encryption repetition can be copied and used later when the user is not online.

The most recent attempt at WLAN security is the 802.1x, a bare step up from the common 802.11i and 802.11c. It allows the use of the Advanced Encryption Standard algorithm and requires per port user authentication. However, the same problem with this security network is its ability to be copied after several uses. Instead of one day of monitoring, it may take up to a week.

Even though WLAN security isn't completely secure, the newest developments do suit the needs of casual users of the Internet. Hackers don't just run in the professional scheme; there are still kids who have wireless devices that can mistakenly interrupt your signal. In order to better safeguard yourself though, refrain from too much online banking and keep information you don't want people to know off the Internet. It's easy to claim an invasion of privacy that goes only as far as internal networks completely closed off to the public. However, outside that, there's no real protection. It just depends on your own level of comfort with your network.



Geier, Jim. "Minimizing WLAN security threats" Wi-fiplanet.com September 5, 2002. 15 September 2006.

Gast, Matt. "Wireless LAN security: A Short History." April 19, 2002. www.oreillynet.com. 15 September 2006.

CMP media LLC. "More Businesses Deploy WLANs Throughout Buildings." COMMWEB.com 4 September 2006.