Security holes in Wi-Fi networks that users need to know

Effectively securing a Wi-Fi network is more than just setting up the latest encryption mode or implementing stronger authentication methods than traditional methods like WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) and WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access), which help protect the network from unauthorized access and other security threats.

While implementing security solutions is important, understanding potential security vulnerabilities in Wi-Fi networks will help users effectively protect their Wi-Fi networks.

This article will present the 5 most common Wi-Fi security vulnerabilities that users need to know to protect their Wi-Fi networks from potential threats.

1. Eavesdropping attack

Wi-Fi eavesdropping is an attack where an attacker can illegally access and monitor data transmitted over a Wi-Fi network. This type of attack can lead to the theft of sensitive information such as passwords, financial information, and personal data.

Because Wi-Fi signals travel over radio waves, attackers can passively eavesdrop on information transmitted between devices and access points (APs). On unsecured Wi-Fi networks, attackers can steal sensitive user information and use it for malicious purposes.

A major security vulnerability in the security protocol for home and small business networks (WPA/WPA2-Personal) is that users with the Wi-Fi password can monitor other users' network traffic and perform attacks.

Meanwhile, the enterprise security mode (WPA/WPA2-Enterprise) provides protection against eavesdropping between users. But this security mode requires the deployment of a highly secure and intelligent network protocol (Radius Server) or cloud service and requires additional requests from the user or client device to connect. Therefore, many large enterprises are still using the WPA/WPA2-Personal security protocol, which will facilitate cybercriminals to penetrate the enterprise network.

Thanks to the WPA3 security standard, introduced by the Wi-Fi Alliance in 2018, eavesdropping will no longer be a concern for networks and devices that support this newer security method. WPA3 is used to control what happens when a user connects to a secured Wi-Fi network using encryption.

This latest Wi-Fi security protocol brings new capabilities to improve network security in Wi-Fi networks. Users on a Wi-Fi network that uses the WPA3 security standard cannot decrypt traffic from other users on the network, even if the user has the Wi-Fi password and successfully connects.

2. Denial of Service (DoS) Attack

Like wired networks, Wi-Fi is also susceptible to DoS (Denial of Service) attacks, which can overload a Wi-Fi network with too much traffic. This can cause Wi-Fi to slow down or become unavailable, disrupting the normal operation of the network.

A DoS attack can be performed by generating a large number of connection or authentication requests to overload the Wi-Fi network server or sending fake data into the network to disrupt Wi-Fi operation.

An attacker can send deauthentication frames to disconnect devices from the Wi-Fi network, causing a disruption in the connection and possibly causing client devices to connect to rogue access points. Additionally, an attacker can overload the network with fake or malicious beacon frames, confusing connected devices and disrupting network operations.

To prevent DoS attacks on Wi-Fi networks, users should implement security measures such as intrusion detection systems (IDS), firewalls, and traffic filtering. Regularly updating firmware, using strong encryption, and configuring network devices to handle excessive traffic can also help minimize the impact of DoS attacks. In addition, it is necessary to monitor network traffic to detect unusual traffic sources and promptly address vulnerabilities.

3. Take control of authorized devices connected to the Wi-Fi network

This form of attack is different from hacking into a Wi-Fi network; instead, attackers exploit security vulnerabilities or weak configurations to gain control of legitimately connected devices.

An attacker could access saved Wi-Fi passwords or network credentials on a computer or device. They could then install malware, spyware, or other software on the device. They could also manipulate device settings, including Wi-Fi configuration, to cause the device to connect to rogue access points.

To reduce the risk of this attack, users need to implement overall security measures, such as using anti-virus software and firewalls, keeping devices physically secure, enabling anti-theft features, and educating users about social engineering attacks.

4. Attack by creating fake Wi-Fi access points

This is a type of Wi-Fi network attack in which an attacker creates a fake Wi-Fi network with the same name as a legitimate Wi-Fi network. When a user attempts to connect to the legitimate network, their device may automatically connect to the fake network without realizing the difference. The attacker can then steal sensitive user data, such as passwords, financial information, and personal data, as they transmit information over the fake network.

A rogue access point (AP) is an unauthorized or illegitimate Wi-Fi access point or wireless router installed on a network without the network administrator's consent. This can include employees/visitors who accidentally plug into a home router in the hope of increasing Wi-Fi coverage, or malicious actors who deliberately seek to exploit vulnerabilities to perform unauthorized actions. It can also be misconfigured access points, such as a legitimate access point that lacks security due to a network administrator's malfunction or negligence.

Regardless of how it happens, a rogue access point can create security vulnerabilities, allowing unauthorized access to the network. Attackers can exploit this access to launch attacks such as intercepting data, injecting malicious content, or gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information.

To detect rogue access points, it is necessary to conduct professional surveys before and after network deployment to identify unauthorized devices, regularly scan the network for rogue access points, and use an intrusion detection system (IDS) to detect suspicious activities that may be related to rogue access points.

Additionally, implementing strong security measures such as WPA3 encryption, certificate-based authentication, and implementing appropriate access controls can also minimize the risk of rogue access points.

5. Radio interference

Radio interference can disrupt Wi-Fi networks. Unlike bad actors, radio interference can be caused by poor network design, changes to building structures, or other electronic devices emitting or leaking into the air. This source of interference can lead to reduced performance, reduced throughput, and increased latency.

Poor Wi-Fi design and structural changes in buildings can also cause interference, especially due to channel overlap from neighboring access points and other Wi-Fi networks. Other wireless devices that use the same Wi-Fi band, such as Bluetooth devices, cordless phones, wireless cameras, and baby monitors, can also cause interference. Even electronic devices such as microwaves, fluorescent lights, and more can cause interference to Wi-Fi networks.

Interference sources in Wi-Fi bands can affect the network, but there are ways to minimize interference sources for Wi-Fi networks such as surveying suitable locations to place Wi-Fi access points to minimize interference sources and maximize coverage, and monitoring network parameters such as signal strength, can also help identify interference issues and take corrective measures.

In short, by raising awareness of Wi-Fi security vulnerabilities and taking appropriate precautions, users can safely protect their Wi-Fi networks and data from cyberattacks.

Phan Van Hoa (According to Networkworld)