Wireless Security Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Wireless Security - Research Paper Example This method is convenient because one can work from anywhere in the house or in his business using his or her laptop. It also makes it possible to connect various computers to the internet, which does not require the use of many disorganized wires or cables as can be in wired networks (Onguardonline.gov, 2012). Wireless local area networks (WLANs) have become explosively popular, which have dramatically altered the way in which people access data, surf the internet and read their e-mails. WLANs are now everywhere in libraries, coffee shops, hotels, airports, college campuses, and many other public places. WLANs initially became accessible in 2000 and since then, they have deeply penetrated into people’s everyday lives, becoming widely used amongst individuals and businesses. However, despite its popularity, there are many security threats that are associated with the wireless technology, thereby preventing them from being widely spread. WLANs have been the key targets for atta ckers because of the mode of wireless transmission and the vulnerabilities exposed to the traditional standards of wireless networks. Owing to the fact that indicators are not restricted to a wire or a cable in a wall, invaders can capture an unencrypted wireless message and read or even alter the private contents of the message. Because the earlier mechanisms used in wireless security did not adequately provide defense against such attacks, WLANs provided an avenue for attackers to access an organization’s network and take away important information (Us-cert.gov, 2008). The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) is the most influential and widely known organization for wireless communications and computer networking. The IEEE dates back to 1884 and it began its work on developing architecture standards in computer networks in the early 1980s. This work was known as Project 802, which quickly expanded into various types of network technology. The IEEE 802.3 w as one of the most famous standards developed, which set stipulations for Ethernet local area network technology. In 1990, a committee was formed to come up with a standard for WLANs that would operate at a speed of one and 2Mbps. A number of different proposals were recommended before a draft that went through seven different revisions was developed. In 1997, the IEEE approved and adopted the IEEE 802.11 standard. This was the first WLAN standard which defines the physical (PHY) and the media access control (MAC) layers for a LAN that is wireless connected. It deals with local area networking where the associated devices communicate via air to other devices that are close to each other (Intelligraphics.com, 1995). Although a speed of 2 million bits per second was preferable in 1990 for wireless networks, it was no longer satisfactory for use in modern wireless networks. The IEEE body reviewed the 802.11 standard to determine the possible changes that could be executed to increase t he speed. A new IEEE 802.11b amendment was formed in 1999. The amendment included two higher speeds – 5.5 Mbps and 11Mbps to the original speeds of 1Mbps and 2Mbps in 802.11. The new standard (IEEE 802.11b) could support devices that of up to 375 feet(115 meters) away from each other using 2.4GHz radio frequency spectrum. During the same period, the IEEE as well provided another standard with higher speeds. The standard developed was IEEE 802.11a, which indicates a maximum speed of 54Mpbs using the 5GHz radio frequency spectrum. The remarkable achievement of the IEEE 802.11b impelled the IEEE to revisit the 802.11b and 802.11a standards to find out whether they could develop a third intermediary standard (Ciampa, 2009). Ciampa (2009) further explains