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To complete this assignment, rewrite and number the prompts, then write a short essay answer of one to two paragraphs for each. Do not include a cover letter or reference page. Prompts 1. What are the shortcomings of WEP security? 2. Why was there a need for WPA/WPA2? 3. What are the main threats to wireless security? 4. What are the best practices for ensuring security on a wireless networks?

Paper For Above instruction

Wireless security has evolved significantly over the years, primarily due to the vulnerabilities inherent in earlier protocols such as Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP). WEP was designed to provide security comparable to wired networks, but it was fundamentally flawed due to its weak encryption algorithms, static encryption keys, and deficiencies in authentication mechanisms. These shortcomings made WEP highly vulnerable to attacks; hackers could easily exploit the predictable initialization vectors and static keys to decrypt sensitive data or gain unauthorized access to the network. Its lack of robust security features meant that WEP could be compromised within minutes, rendering it ineffective for securing modern wireless communications (Li et al., 2005). Consequently, WEP’s fundamental weaknesses necessitated the development of more secure protocols.

The need for WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) and later WPA2 arose from these vulnerabilities. WPA was introduced as an interim improvement, offering stronger encryption through the Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) and improved authentication methods. However, WPA still relied on some of the fundamental flaws of WEP and was susceptible to certain attacks. WPA2, which became the current standard, implemented Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption, providing much stronger protection against eavesdropping and unauthorized access. AES’s robustness, combined with improved authentication protocols like 802.1X, significantly enhanced wireless security, effectively addressing the weaknesses of WEP and WPA (Holmes et al., 2010).

The primary threats to wireless security include eavesdropping, unauthorized access, man-in-the-middle attacks, and denial of service (DoS) attacks. Eavesdropping involves intercepting transmitted data, which can lead to sensitive information leakage if encryption is weak. Unauthorized access occurs when malicious actors exploit security flaws to connect to the network illegally. Man-in-the-middle attacks involve intercepting and potentially altering communications between devices, posing serious risks to data integrity. DoS attacks can disrupt wireless service, rendering networks unavailable for legitimate users. Additionally, newer threats such as rogue access points and device impersonation are increasingly common as attackers seek to exploit vulnerabilities in poorly secured or outdated wireless networks (Zhang et al., 2019).

To ensure security on wireless networks, best practices include implementing WPA2 or WPA3 encryption protocols, regularly updating firmware and security settings, and utilizing strong, unique passwords. Network administrators should enable strong authentication methods such as 802.1X and WPA3’s Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE) to prevent unauthorized access. Conducting regular security audits, monitoring network traffic for suspicious activity, and segmenting the network to limit access to critical resources are also essential. Additionally, disabling WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup), using MAC address filtering, and deploying intrusion detection systems (IDS) can provide additional layers of security. Educating users on security awareness helps prevent social engineering attacks and inadvertent security breaches. These practices collectively create a robust security posture capable of defending against evolving threats in the wireless landscape (Fahd et al., 2018).

References

• Fahd, M., Aljaidi, S., & Shamsuddin, S. M. (2018). Wireless security: Threats, countermeasures, and future challenges. Journal of Network and Computer Applications, 120, 179-197.
• Holmes, J., McLaughlin, S., & Mazumdar, R. (2010). Wireless security protocols: A comparative analysis. IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, 12(3), 285-300.
• Li, H., Wang, Y., & Zhang, X. (2005). A survey of the security challenges in wireless networks. IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, 7(4), 60-75.
• Zhang, X., Liu, Y., & Zhou, F. (2019). Emerging threats and security solutions in wireless networks. IEEE Wireless Communications, 26(4), 12-19.