Council concerned over low level of awareness of WLAN security -
CHOICE # 330 (April 15, 2004)
The switch to wireless Internet
access is fast on the rise with household users.
As more consumers are drawn to
wireless Internet application, the Consumer Council is concerned
that few are in fact aware of the inherent security vulnerability
of WLAN (wireless local access network) to hackers' attacks.
A recent study has found 70% of WLAN
to be without simple security measures in defence of such intrusion
and viruses on the home computer system.
Common attacks on WLAN include Denial
of Service (DOS). In a WLAN, the hacker might not steal any
information but may send continuous data packets to jam the access
point, so that the users cannot access the network service as it is
being kept busy by DOS attack.
Another attack concerns illegal
access to the home computer system. The hacker may hack into a home
computer using wireless device with certain software or
hardware.
Also common are Man-in-the-Middle
attacks. The hacker may set up an access point placed near an open
wireless network (hotspots). When a user associates with this
access point, the username and password will be captured by this
fake access point to gain access to the network.
Consumers are, therefore, strongly
urged to take pro-active preventive measures for enhancing the
security of a wireless network. These include such built-in
security features as:
SSID (Service Set ID)
- Change the default SSID immediately after installation
- Enable the system to operate as a closed broadcasting
network
WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy)
- Enable the WEP
- Never use the default WEP keys
ACL (Access Control List)
- Use MAC filtering if your WLAN access point supports this
function
Hotspot service providers should also
enhance security protection for wireless internet access by
consumers.
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