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                                                                     November 2002
Feature Story 
Insights into the latest wireless LAN security issues

Wireless LAN Security – What Hackers Know That You Don’t

As the next generation of IT networking, 802.11 wireless LANs are also the new playgrounds for hackers. Effective encryption and authentication security measures for wireless LANs are still developing, but hackers already possess easy-to-use tools that can launch increasingly sophisticated attacks that put your information assets at risk.

This article outlines the widely available hacking tools that hackers are using to exploit vulnerabilities in 802.11 wireless LANs. The information presented is a collection of already published risks to wireless LANs. This article serves to inform IT security managers of what they are up against. In order to effectively secure their wireless LANs, enterprises must first know the potential dangers.

WLAN Security: Wired-side Monitoring is Not Enough

In tackling wireless LAN security, network security managers must address the issue similarly
to their approach to security of the wired network by monitoring traffic across the network.
A few products claim to secure wireless LANs from rogue access points, intruders and attacks
by watching the traffic as it enters the wired network. However, wireless LAN security demands
that the traffic be monitored where it is most vulnerable – in the air.

Any wireless access point attached to a wired network essentially broadcasts an Ethernet connection
and an onramp to the entire enterprise network. Layer 1 and Layer 2 of a network is typically
protected by the CAT5 wire within a building in a traditional wired network but is exposed in a
wireless LAN. 
Click here to read more...

Free 3-hour Live Seminar -- Hack-Proof Your Wireless LAN

A series of free wireless LAN security seminars across the United States cover wireless LAN
security challenges, major security vulnerabilities, live demonstrations of wireless
attacks and specific steps you can take to hack-proof your wireless LAN. Seminar attendees are
given the opportunity to interact with wireless security experts and see first hand a variety of
wireless LAN security solutions, including the latest in encryption, authentication, wireless VPNs,
vulnerability assessment and intrusion detection.
Click here for more information...

2-day Hands-on Training -- WLAN Security Bootcamp

For IT professionals looking for hands-on training in wireless LAN security, AirDefense offers
a comprehensive 2-day course that combines classroom presentations with interactive lab
exercises to provide practical, in-depth understanding of the latest tools, techniques and
leading edge security products.

More importantly, you will learn about layered approaches to security that you can adopt to secure
a WLAN. This training teaches you how to detect reconnaissance activities of intruders and impending
attacks.  It covers a range of tools and solutions to actively defend against intruders and attacks.
Experts introduce and explain real-life case studies from companies in multiple industries. More than
half of the training is spent in our lab conducting hands-on exercises.
Click here for more information...

WLAN Security Highlights
Industry News from leading information providers

A Technical Comparison of TTLS and PEAP
(O'Reilly Network)
Broadly speaking, wireless LAN security has two major issues. Authentication of network
users is not strong, so unauthorized users may be able to access network resources.
Traffic encryption is also weak...read more

Wireless LAN attacks grow in sophistication
(Network World)
During the past year, wireless LAN security threats have multiplied, according to users,
vendors and consultants. There are more attack...read more

New security spec for wireless LAN
(ADTmag.com)
An industry trade group last week took the wraps off a new 802.11 wireless network security
specification based on the Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) standard. Created by the Wi-Fi Alliance,
WPA provides...read more

Interested in learning more about wireless LAN security?  Request the Wireless LANs: Risks & Defenses White Paper by clicking here.