Analysis of attacks in IEEE 802.11 networks at different levels of OSI model

Abstract

Purpose. Analysis of the main types of vulnerabilities and definition of weaknesses in 802.11 wireless network security, identification of the causes of information loss or network failure as a result of attacks. Methodology. Research on attacks at different levels of the OSI network model. Findings. The main threats and attacks that are implemented at each level of the OSI network model, from the physical to the application level, are identified. 15 different attacks with a detailed description of the consequences of their implementation are considered. The correspondence between the levels of the OSI network model and peculiarities of the implementation of attacks is established. Originality. The principle of increasing the abstraction level was used to systematize attacks on WLAN. First, the known attacks are compared according to the levels of the OSI network model and the destructive consequences of their implementation are indicated; secondly, four types of attacks (reconnaissance, availability, spoofing, man-in-the-middle) are identified, and thirdly, attacks are divided into categories of passive and active ones. This approach makes it possible to get a more conceptual understanding of security issues in wireless networks. Practical value. The results obtained can be used to develop effective multi-level systems for detecting and preventing intrusions into WLAN.