| IntroductionThis document explains topics relating | | | | install, WLANs are easy to understand and use. |
| to wireless networks. The main topics discussed | | | | With few exceptions, everything to do with wired |
| include, what type of vulnerabilities exist today in | | | | LANs applies to wireless LANs. They function like, |
| 802.11 networks and ways that you can help | | | | and are commonly connected to, wired Ethernet |
| prevent these vulnerabilities from happening. | | | | networks.The Wireless Ethernet Compatibility |
| Wireless networks have not been around for | | | | Alliance [WECA] is the industry organization that |
| many years. Federal Express has been using a | | | | certifies 802.11 products that are deemed to |
| type of wireless networks, common to the 802.11 | | | | meet a base standard of interoperability. The first |
| networks used today, but the general public has | | | | family of products to be certified by WECA is |
| recently just started to use wireless networking | | | | that based on the 802.11b standard. This set of |
| technology. Because of weak security that exists | | | | products is what we will be studying. Also more |
| in wireless networks, companies such as Best Buy | | | | standards exist such as 802.11a and 802.11g.The |
| have decided to postpone the roll-out of wireless | | | | original 802.11 standard was published in 1999 and |
| technology. The United States Government has | | | | provides for data rates at up to 2 Mbps at 2.4 |
| done likewise and is suspending the use of | | | | GHz, using either FHSS or DSSS. Since that time |
| wireless until a more universal, secure solution is | | | | many task groups have been formed to create |
| available.BackgroundWhat is Wireless?Wireless | | | | supplements and enhancements to the original |
| LANs or Wi-Fi is a technology used to connect | | | | 802.11 standard.The 802.11b TG created a |
| computers and devices together. Wireless LANs | | | | supplement to the original 802.11 standard, called |
| give persons more mobility and flexibility by | | | | 802.11b, which has become the industry standard |
| allowing workers to stay connected to the | | | | for WLANs. It uses DSSS and provides data |
| Internet and to the network as they roam from | | | | rates up to 11 Mbps at 2.4 Ghz. 802.11b will |
| one coverage area to another. This increases | | | | eventually be replaced by standards which have |
| efficiency by allowing data to be entered and | | | | better QoS features, and better security. |
| accessed on site.Besides being very simple to | | | | |