Wireless Connectivity

Wi-fi upgrades to nth degree

Written by Anonymous on 12:50 AM

Wireless networks have changed the way many people work. Their use is likely to grow even more with the introduction of a new wireless standard which promises nearly five times the speed and four times the coverage.

That means companies are more likely to use wireless networks for systems which have previously relied on hard-wired connections. And that can mean more security headaches for businesses.

The new standard, 802.11n, will supersede the current 802.11g and 802.11b standards. It's yet to be ratified by the international standards board, but many suppliers are now selling products based on the draft design.

Security experts say there shouldn't be any new security issues with the standard itself, but its extra power emphasises the problems of all wireless networks.

“You're going to be more reliant on it, because it's so much faster and the likelihood is you're going to get rid of your wired connections,” said Matt Hampton, senior technical specialist at Bolton-based consultancy Imerja.

All wireless networks need to be protected from people hacking in from outside. At best, hackers just leech off your bandwidth. At worst, though, they can use your wireless network, or even a wireless-enabled laptop that's plugged in to your wired network, to break into your other systems.

Safety

Security measures such as digital certificates and password protection are more important than ever. The most secure certification program used by the current 11g standard, WPA2, should be strong enough for the new equipment.

“That's still very robust and, providing that technology is used properly, wireless networks are effectively uncrackable,” said Paul Vlissidis, technical director of ethical security testing at NCC Group.

“The new standard just strengthens the message that companies need to be using the best security architecture.”

Users may be particularly vulnerable over the next few months until 11n is ratified, as they may not be able to rely on the necessary technical support. As yet, though, there's little sign of businesses rushing to buy into the new standard. “Most companies are fairly cautious and tend to buy from the major manufacturers, who tend to be just a little bit behind the latest stuff,” said Vlissidis.

“The smaller businesses and home users are basically the guinea pigs for this, but it's only a matter of months before the bigger companies start to pick it up.”

The gap between 11n equipment going on sale and its general adoption also presents an opportunity for hackers. Current intruder prevention systems may not detect equipment based on the new standard, leaving networks vulnerable if someone manages to install a rogue access point into them.

The new standard can also cause other problems if you are putting new access points into an existing network.

Since 11n uses a different frequency channel to existing standards, a new access point can block the channels used by the old ones. That problem is made worse by the extra range of 11n — a new system in one office could disrupt an old system anywhere within a few hundred metres.

Anyone installing 11n in a densely populated area would do well to consult with their neighbours, Hampton advises.

By Tim Chapman