Chapter 1 - Introduction to Secure Wireless Networking

Abstract

This chapter provides an introduction to wireless technology and communications. Wireless devices such as cell phones, PDAs, and laptop computers provide mobility to users and enable them to keep in constant contact with both their work and personal lives. Modern wireless network communication essentially began in 1997 with the original 802.11 standard. In 1999, Wired Equivalency Protection (WEP) was introduced as the first attempt at a secure algorithm for wireless networks. By 2001, serious security flaws were found in WEP. Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) was introduced in 2003 as a stopgap measure that superseded WEP, and was quickly followed by WPA2 in 2004, which fully implemented the 802.11i standard. Other wireless standards have been introduced for wireless bridging, Quality of Service, vehicular use, microwave access, and cellular access. Malware is an umbrella term for all forms of malicious software—viruses, worms, botnets, and other threats. Modern day malware is a much more serious criminal threat to both wired and wireless networks. SonicWALL Unified Threat Management (UTM) provides content filtering, intrusion prevention, antivirus, and antispyware at the gateway. Wireless networks are susceptible to specialized threats that compromise access points, jam radio frequencies, and take advantage of the physical mobility of wireless devices. Although wireless security threats have multiplied with the phenomenal increase in Internet usage, network administrators demand the same level of security from a wireless network that they expect from a wired network. The WPA2 standard has eliminated any excuse for accepting inherent vulnerabilities in wireless networks.