Windows7 Virtual AP – Why is it a big deal now?
Ever since WiFi radios were available, there have been open source and priced software that allowed users to convert their client cards into APs. While these were available only on Linux based operating systems to start with; ‘Soft AP’ drivers and software has been available for most operating systems for at least a few years now. Also available were USB devices that operate as an AP. In addition; the WiFi interface could always have been put into ad-hoc mode, allowing other clients to connect to it, effectively creating the same vulnerability as a soft AP
So, why is soft AP suddenly a big deal when Windows7 provides this as a built in option in the OS? Read more…
Jatin Parekh Windows 7, Wireless security Rogue AP, Soft AP, Windows7
Much has been said about using ‘Best Practices’ alone to secure enterprise WiFi, including no-WiFi policy. However, as security experts will vouch, most breaches happen because of naive insiders.
Here is a hilarious video that demonstrates the lack of understanding out there regarding WiFi – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cgjvcxn1s4.
Imagine such a person as your employee and ask yourself the following questions.
- Can you expect all your employees to follow the prescribed WiFi best practices?
- Can you be confident that such a person will not connect to a neighboring hotspot, just because his or her desk has spotty WiFi coverage?
- Can you be certain that such a person will not bring in a ‘Linksys’ as advised by the radio host; and plug it into the ethernet under the desk and create a Rogue AP?
- Can you be certain that this person will not connect to both the WiFi and Ethernet at the same time while connected to the hotspot?
If these questions are hard to answer, you must consider Wireless Intrusion Prevention System!
Jatin Parekh Best practices, Wireless scanning, Wireless security Best practices, Hotspot, no WiFi, Rogue AP, WIPS, Wireless Intrusion Prevention
