Wireless Network Security 802.11i are vulnerable to hacking because they broadcast their signals over open air. This means anyone who knows where to look can intercept them.
If you’re using a wireless network, you need to take steps to protect it. To help you in this endeavor, here are ten important tips from the information security experts at Cisco:
1. Use strong encryption
Ensure that your wireless network uses encryption and the strongest one available. The most common wireless encryption methods are WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy). Also, WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access), and WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2). WEP is insecure, so don’t use it. WPA2 is the best encryption method currently available. We recommend that you use an AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) key of 128 or 256 bits.
2. Encrypt all your Web sites
Any information transmitted through your wireless network is susceptible to interception by anyone within range. If you’re using a wireless network to access sensitive data, such as bank accounts. Then encrypt all your websites with SSL (Secure Sockets Layer). This provides end-to-end encryption and will protect your data from prying eyes.
3. Use strong passwords
Wireless networks rely on passwords for security. So it’s important that you use strong passwords for them (as well as for your other accounts). Don’t use simple words or phrases that they can easily guess or crack using a dictionary attack or brute force technique.
The longer and more complex the password, the better it will be at keeping out hackers and other intruders. You should also change your passwords regularly. To eliminate vulnerabilities that could be exploited if they were cracked by an intruder or compromised by a hacker who has access to them in an unencrypted form.
4. Enable MAC filtering on access points and clients of your wireless network.
MAC filtering restricts access to only those devices whose MAC addresses have a list in a MAC filter table inside the access point or client device. For example, if you wanted to allow access only to computers with MAC address A0:B0:C1:D1:E0, then you would add A0:B0:C1:D1:E0 to the table.
And all other computers would be denied access to the network by their own devices for violating the MAC filter table entries list when they try to connect to them via Wi-Fi connection technology connections methods of connecting computer devices together over radio frequency broadcasting signals that travel from one place to another over the air.
5. Use two-step verification: Wireless Network Security 802.11i
Two-step verification is a method of authenticating users that consists of two factors: a password and something the user has (such as a smart card or token generator), or a password and something the user knows (such as a personal identification number). Using two-step verification means that hackers or other intruders won’t be able to access your wireless network using the same password they’ve been using for other accounts.
6. Always use secure networks.
If you’re connecting over an insecure network, such as a public Wi-Fi hotspot, then use SSL or TLS to encrypt your communications.
7. Use web filtering software.
Web filtering software is software that scans all the data on your wireless network for malicious code and viruses. Even before it’s transmition to its destination. So that you can prevent attacks from being launched by using your wireless network.
8. Block hackers with intrusion detection systems.
Intrusion detection systems monitor computers and networks for suspicious activity, such as unusual login attempts, network scanning, virus checking, etc., so that you can detect intruders before they damage your data or steal confidential information from your wireless network.
9. Keep up with security updates — always.
The best way to keep your wireless network secure is to keep it patched against known vulnerabilities and running the latest available version of its operating system and hardware drivers. You should always check for security updates on at least a weekly basis.
If you’re using an operating system such as Windows XP Service Pack 2 or Windows Vista Service Pack 1, then you should install service packs immediately after they’re released to ensure maximum security for your operating system and other applications running on it.
10. Take advantage of 802.11i WPA2 encryption keys — now!
Use WPA2 encryption keys if you’re using a wireless LAN today to ensure that all of your devices are encrypted against WEP attacks (WPA2 will be rolled out automatically in all new devices shipping in 2008). When possible, choose strong keys of 128 bits or more (256 bits is currently the strongest key available).