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Protect your networks: Wireless Security Threats Increase

Protect your networks: Wireless Security Threats Increase

by Adam
August 11, 2022

Wireless threats are cyber security threats that come in different shapes that we usually have no idea about. Wireless users face such danger mostly by attaching Wireless Access Point to their wired network. There are several ways in which your wireless connection can be attacked. Understanding wireless security threats is important as it allows you to prevent them. How to make sure that the wireless connection is secure? This blog will cover how to indicate the hacked wireless connection, the most dangerous wireless security threats, and what actions to take to secure the wireless network.

What can indicate the wireless connection has been hacked? Ask these questions:

  1. Is my Wi-Fi connection slow?
  2. Are there unknown devices that are connected?
  3. Is there a password change?
  4. Is there unauthorised software installation?
  5. Does the router require a password?

These signs might indicate that your wireless network connection is no longer secure. The difference between wired and wireless security is that wired security depends on the wire and each join where the wire is connected, while wireless security depends on the network security from where the connection is provided.

What are the most dangerous wireless security threats? There are six wireless security threats to know about:

Wireless sniffing or eavesdropping

Many Wireless Access Points are not secured meaning that the communication is not encrypted. Wireless communication is not limited to one location and one access point. When connecting to such WAPs, any sent data via such networks can be open to cyber criminals. Thus, your communication becomes at risk. 

Evil twin attacks

It is a wireless attack where cyber criminals create their systems that impersonate a legitimate WAP. Once a user is connected to such a network, the data becomes visible to a cyber-criminal. 

Freeloading

Some users can search specifically for open connections to unsecured Wi-Fi to gain free access. It is called piggybacking. It can lead to illegal content download via your WAP or another illegal internet activity, monitoring, capturing web traffic, or stealing personal files.  

Unauthorised computer access

Connecting to an unsecured Wi-Fi without disabling file sharing allows cybercriminals to access the device folders and files.

Network abuse

This is where authorised users create network abues by careless actions, giving access to their wireless network to family members, or connecting to unauthorised access points. It is a proven fact that the majority of security breach incidents come from inside. 

Cracking attack

Cracking attacks mean attacks to identify wireless network vulnerabilities and exploit security weaknesses. 

What actions should one take to secure access to wireless networks? We have collected the strongest tips for you:

  • Use strong password
  • Disable file sharing over public networks
  • Restrict access to authorised users. 
    • You can also set up a guest account that allows network visitors to connect to the wireless network with a different password via a separate channel and protect your credentials. 
  • Use a firewall. 
    • It protects network traffic from malicious traffic such as malware.  
  • Encrypt data. 
    • It prevents unauthorised users from viewing it. 
  • Software updates. 
    • Regular updates minimise software vulnerabilities.

There are several ways that one can secure a wireless network, which can prevent unauthorised access, and protect sensitive data. 

To learn about cyber security measures, reach out!

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