Network Security 2 Case Study III Poojan Patel National Loui

Network Security 2 Case Study III Poojan Patel National Louis University Network testing is a wide means of testing security control across a network to recognize and illustrate vulnerabilities and examine risks. It helps in validating security defenses, comply with mandates, and test security controls. The wireless penetration testing approach can be used to test the security strength if the LAN network. It focuses on the wireless gateway to exploit and identify vulnerabilities. Testing the network's security strength enables firms to mitigate risks before they occur, and the approach serves as a third party to the firm's threat management (Wahyudi et al., 2019).

Therefore, all the vulnerabilities are effectively addressed by this approach, thus prevent a data breach and unauthorized access. The network design is the star physical topology, which is a local area network. The WEP approach can measure security strength, which provides authentication techniques and is the oldest standard for LAN encryption. The users can have a shared key for authentication, which allows them to gain access to particular information (Farkash, 2018). However, it is considered outdated and unsafe as a result of the ever-changing world.

Another approach is the WLAN protected setup, which is an automatic configuration feature. It makes the configuration of the LAN easy for new network operators. Verification is done at the push of a button by inserting a PIN. A person can also alter the network settings through USB or other methods. Hackers can compromise the security measures by changing the source port of their attack in firewall security measures. This is because it will allow the traffic of the attacker to go through since it assumes it is DNS traffic. Another strategy is zipping up files with Trojan or encryption it making the antivirus system not to be able to scan it for viruses. It easily compromises this measure since the hacker can still spread viruses to the company's system by just emailing Trojans to various people at the enterprise. When these people open those files, they give a backdoor entry to the attacker's internal network.

Paper For Above instruction

Network security forms a foundational pillar in safeguarding digital infrastructure against burgeoning cyber threats. With organizations increasingly relying on interconnected systems, vulnerabilities become a significant concern, necessitating robust security measures. The reviewed case emphasizes the importance of network testing, penetration strategies, and the evolving nature of threats. Analyzing these aspects reveals the necessity for dynamic, layered defenses that adapt to emerging attack vectors such as spoofing, sniffing, and malware dissemination.

The primary approach to assessing network robustness discussed involves wireless penetration testing, which simulates real-world attacks targeting Wi-Fi gateways. This method uncovers vulnerabilities in wireless security protocols like WEP, which, despite its historical significance, is now obsolete due to its weak encryption standards. Modern wireless security demands protocols such as WPA3, which employ advanced encryption and authentication mechanisms to thwart unauthorized access. The penetration test also focuses on identifying weaknesses in device configurations and verifying the security of wireless access points—a critical step to prevent attackers from exploiting open or misconfigured networks (Wahyudi et al., 2019).

The star topology, common in local area networks, simplifies management and enhances fault tolerance. However, its security relies heavily on the centralized devices like switches and routers. When these components are compromised, the entire network becomes vulnerable. Implementing strong access controls, segmentation, and encryption protocols is essential in this architecture. The use of IPv6 addresses provides a scalable addressing scheme, but ensuring proper security configurations, such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems, is crucial to protect these expansive address spaces.

Threats to network security extend beyond weak encryption. For instance, network sniffing—monitoring and intercepting data in transit—poses a high risk, especially in unencrypted traffic. Attackers can capture sensitive information like passwords or personal data, leading to data breaches. The mitigation involves deploying strong encryption methods, such as WPA3 for wireless networks and SSL/TLS for data in transit, together with network segmentation and monitoring to detect abnormal activities (Gunduz & Das, 2020).

Spoofing, another prevalent threat, involves falsifying packet source addresses to impersonate legitimate devices or users. This tactic can facilitate man-in-the-middle attacks or facilitate denial of service attacks. Using ingress and egress filtering in firewalls helps prevent such malicious activities by verifying source addresses and limiting the flow of potentially harmful traffic. Moreover, implementing authentication mechanisms like 802.1X enhances device verification, reducing spoofing risks.

Denial of Service (DoS) attacks flood targeted networks or systems with excessive traffic, overwhelming resources and denying legitimate access. Effective countermeasures include configuring hardware devices correctly, deploying intrusion detection and prevention systems, and maintaining up-to-date firmware and security patches. Throttling traffic and employing network diversity strategies further bolster defenses against DoS attacks (Kizza, 2013).

Malware, including computer viruses and Trojans, remains a significant threat. Hackers manipulate these malicious software to gain internal access, steal data, or cause system damage. Combating malware requires a layered security approach—installing and updating reputable antivirus and anti-malware software, conducting regular security audits, and educating users on safe computing practices. Email filtering, content scanning, and user awareness training are critical components to prevent malware infiltration.

In conclusion, maintaining network security requires a comprehensive strategy that integrates technological solutions with organizational policies. Regular testing, vigilant monitoring, and prompt updates are essential in defending against evolving threats such as sniffing, spoofing, DoS attacks, and malware. Employing advanced encryption protocols like WPA3, deploying robust firewalls, and educating users form the cornerstone of resilient network architectures. As technology advances, so must the security practices to ensure data confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

References

• Gunduz, M. Z., & Das, R. (2020). Cyber-security on smart grid: Threats and potential solutions. Computer Networks, 169, 107094.
• Kizza, J. M. (2013). Guide to computer network security. Springer.
• Wahyudi, E., Luthfi, E. T., Efendi, M. M., & Mataram, S. T. M. I. K. (2019). Wireless Penetration Testing Method To Analyze WPA2-PSK System Security And Captive Portal. Jurnal Explore STMIK Mataram, 9(1).
• Farkash, M. (2018). NETWORK TOPOLOGY. Retrieved from https://example.com/network-topology
• Wu, C. H. J., & Irwin, J. D. (2016). Introduction to computer networks and cybersecurity. CRC Press.
• Gunduz, M. Z., & Das, R. (2020). Cyber-security on smart grid: Threats and potential solutions. Computer Networks, 169, 107094.
• Kizza, J. M. (2013). Guide to computer network security. Springer.
• Wahyudi, E., et al. (2019). Wireless Penetration Testing Method To Analyze WPA2-PSK System Security And Captive Portal. Jurnal Explore STMIK Mataram, 9(1).
• Gunduz, M. Z., & Das, R. (2020). Cyber-security on smart grid: Threats and potential solutions. Computer Networks, 169, 107094.
• Kizza, J. M. (2013). Guide to computer network security. Springer.