| As a quick solution to business PC networking | | | | common security standards with their router |
| needs, wireless connection is here to stay. But is | | | | counterparts, they lack the traffic control |
| the simplicity of installation and setup worth the | | | | features of a router. |
| increase in security issues? This article looks at | | | | Access points are like plugging your laptop into a |
| some of the risks. | | | | wall jack. No one really has control over who plugs |
| Wireless LAN Topologies | | | | in. Furthermore, the more users that jump on the |
| The vulnerabilities of any PC network will increase | | | | line, the slower the system will function. |
| in proportion to the size and nature of the | | | | 3) Point To Multipoint Wireless Bridge: |
| network. Every access point becomes a potential | | | | Bridges use multiple routers to connect LANs |
| security bleach. | | | | together. Standard wired bridging is limited in that |
| 1) Peer-To-Peer: | | | | it only allows wired clients to connect to a |
| In a wired peer-to-peer topology each computer | | | | secondary router. Since wireless connectivity is |
| in the system, unless limited to only two | | | | not involved, the available security is comparable |
| computers or to a BNC type circle, will share | | | | to that of a wireless peer-to-peer PC networking |
| indirect communications with other devices on the | | | | connection. |
| network. | | | | Wireless bridges connect LANs together without |
| Excluding Internet connections, a wired | | | | regards to distance. Though they will not work |
| peer-to-peer topology is a sealed system. | | | | under standard bridge methodology, the |
| External invasive activity is extremely limited. | | | | necessary adaptations are few and simple. Bridge |
| Switch now from wired to wireless, and a simple | | | | software and tools can easily extend the range or |
| peer-to-peer PC network becomes an open | | | | your network, either wired or wireless. |
| invitation to external attack. Each computer in the | | | | Wireless bridges have two major shortcomings: 1) |
| system is now directly connected to any other | | | | Line of site and/or the primary router's umbrella |
| in-range unit. This open accessibility instantly | | | | will limit the effectiveness of the bridge; 2) |
| increases the need for additional security | | | | Security risks will increase proportionately to the |
| software and tools. | | | | available wireless connections. |
| 2) Access Point Connections: | | | | A Few of the Security Risks |
| PC network systems often utilize routers as a | | | | · Wireless PC networking can be an open |
| means of sharing communication between many | | | | doorway to access point cloning, traffic |
| different WLANs. Along with various other | | | | interception, and monitoring |
| functions, routers perform critical DHCP services. | | | | · Unless configured to require passwords, |
| By nature, routers are designed to help control | | | | invasive users can establish new wireless |
| security issues. Routers can be used as a link | | | | connections |
| point between both wireless and wired networks. | | | | · Brute force attacks against password |
| On the other hand, an access point is merely a | | | | encryptions |
| portal, a point of access that bridges wireless | | | | · Open client-to-client doorways that include file |
| traffic onto an existing wired or wireless | | | | sharing, service attacks, and IP address duplication |
| backbone. Though access points do share | | | | · Service jamming. |