Why is wired technology more secure than wireless technology?

Wireless technologies, such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, have made great strides in improving the convenience and versatility of the electronic devices we use every day.

Thanks to the ability to connect quickly and easily without cables, these technologies have made devices such as Bluetooth headsets, smart speakers, mobile phones and laptops more flexible in terms of connection and interaction.

Some new Wi-Fi standards such as Wi-Fi 6/6E or Wi-Fi 7 even improve data transmission speeds and the ability to connect more devices simultaneously, while Bluetooth technology helps save energy, extending the usage time of mobile devices.

However, when compared to wireless connections, wired connections still offer superior advantages, especially in terms of security. One of the important factors that makes wired connections preferred in high-security environments is their stability and resistance to intrusion.

With wireless connections, the signal can be easily intercepted or stolen without strong protection, as the signal travels through open space. In contrast, wired connections create a physical connection, which limits the risk of outside intrusion and is generally less susceptible to remote attacks.

Furthermore, wired connections do not rely on radio waves, thus eliminating the risk of attacks from methods such as man-in-the-middle attacks or jamming.

Therefore, while wireless technology offers undeniable convenience, when it comes to stringent security and stability requirements, wired connections are still considered the superior choice.

1. No radio signal for hackers to attack

Wireless networks transmit data via radio waves, allowing signals to propagate widely within a local area and often across physical boundaries, possibly reaching neighboring areas, such as neighboring apartments or nearby streets.

This "openness", while providing convenience and flexible connectivity, makes wireless networks an easy target for attacks, such as:

Eavesdropping:Hackers can use easily available tools, such as Wi-Fi signal analysis software, to intercept and monitor data packets being transmitted. This allows them to collect sensitive information, including passwords, login information, and personal data from users without being detected.

Man-in-the-middle attack:An attacker can intercept the communication between two devices, take control and interfere with the data being transmitted, thereby intercepting or changing the information without anyone knowing.

Rogue access point:Unknown devices can impersonate legitimate Wi-Fi hotspots, tricking users into connecting to them, and thereby collecting sensitive user information.

In contrast, wired connections transmit data through physical cables, such as Ethernet, providing direct control over where the data travels. This control eliminates the possibility of remote attacks, ensuring a superior level of security and is much more secure than wireless connections.

2. Wired connection attacks require physical access to the devices

Since there are no radio signals to intercept, hackers would need to have physical access to cables and equipment to break into your network. This distinction acts as a powerful layer of protection, forcing bad guys to overcome a series of challenges:

Physical connection:To penetrate the network, an attacker is forced to connect his device directly to the system, requiring access to Ethernet ports, USB, or other physical interfaces.

Hardware deployment:Hackers would have to use specialized hardware attack tools, an expensive and complex method. Many of these tools are expensive and sometimes not worth the cost, making the breach less feasible.

Time constraints:If they have physical access to devices, hackers will have to act quickly to avoid detection, as the risk of being discovered increases. This time pressure creates a major obstacle, making it much more difficult to penetrate and exploit your network.

These physical barriers pose a significant challenge, significantly increasing the effort, time, and risk faced by an attacker. In addition, households and organizations often implement additional protections such as surveillance cameras, intrusion detection software, and restricted access protocols, making it much more difficult and complicated for hackers to break into the network.

3. Using unauthorized hardware is easier to detect

Using unauthorized hardware to connect to a wired network is often easier to detect than hacking into a wireless network. Unlike wireless attacks, which leave no physical trace, hardware attacks involve specific devices that can be easily identified and eliminated. For example:

Network eavesdropping or analysis equipment:These devices are directly connected to the network and have the ability to intercept data being transmitted. However, because they require a physical connection, they are easily detected and quickly removed.

Malicious Devices:Unauthorized computers or peripherals, such as USB keyloggers, must be physically connected to network devices, which facilitates their rapid detection and removal.

Although there are more sophisticated wired network hacking devices on the market today, such as the OMG cable, which looks like a regular USB charging cable, but is actually packed with cyberattack features.

Although these cables are harder to detect, they are very expensive and are often used to attack large organizations rather than ordinary households.

4. No need to adjust or change security settings

Wireless networks often require precise configuration to ensure secure data transmission. However, if set up incorrectly, network devices and other wireless devices can become easy targets for hackers' monitoring tools, creating serious security vulnerabilities.

Wired networks, on the other hand, are much more stable and secure, with a significantly lower risk of misconfiguration. When using a wired connection, you won't have to worry about:

Weak or outdated encryption protocol:Older encryption standards like WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) are vulnerable to hackers and can be cracked, while more modern protocols like WPA3 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 3) offer a higher level of security, but only when properly deployed and configured.

Default credentials:Many wireless routers and security cameras are pre-configured by the manufacturer with default usernames and passwords. If these are not changed, they become vulnerable to hackers. Using search engines or automated attack software, bad guys can easily access and exploit these devices.

Open Access Point:Unsecured wireless networks can become open doors for unauthorized users, creating a high risk of data theft and serious security breaches.

Not using radio signals in wired networks significantly reduces the need for complex software settings to ensure basic security. This simplicity eliminates many of the common misconfiguration risks of wireless networks, making wired networks inherently more secure, even if users make mistakes.

Wireless technology offers superior convenience, but wired connections stand out for their high level of security due to their inherent features. However, this does not mean you should completely abandon wireless technology.

As long as you ensure wireless devices are properly configured, the number of smart home and IoT devices is limited to what is necessary, and you take care to set up your local network securely, a combination of wired and wireless devices should be sufficient for most households.