Beverley is the CEO of Logical Step. Her mission is based on providing affordable, reliable and desirable computer hardware and software. Her ambition is to provide all things techie. Through Logical Step she provides: components; computers; LCD and plasmas monitors; media; network gear; software; cables; hard drives; memory; cases; USB memory sticks and so much more. She has also launched the Logical Step Blog. The aim of the Blog is to make available articles and news, which keeps you informed of technical, computing and science news.
Wireless Security Cracked.
Author: Beverley A MacKenzie
Gone in 60 second, is how you could describe a new security attack on home wireless networks. Scientists in Hiroshima University have identified a security attack which exploits a wireless network security weakness. The attack which is known as the Beck and Tew attack, under normal circumstances takes between 12 – 15 minutes to execute. However it has been discovered that when this attack is combined with the standard man-in-the-middle attack, that a wireless network could be breached within 60 seconds.
The attack exploits a feature of the 802.11e wireless network Quality of Service (QoS) system. The 802.11e wireless network has 8 different channels. The attack is effective because it is distributed across all of the channels.
The Hiroshima University white paper describes how a Hacker can recover a message integrity check (MIC) from data packets, being transmitted across a wireless network. The report states:
“.......This attack recovers a MIC key and a plaintext from an encrypted short packet and falsifies it......”
Scientist have said that such a security breach, could lead to a Hacker taking control of a computer’s internet session; or capturing packets, or falsifying messages.
A Scientist stated...
“....That such an attack would completely undermine the confidentiality and integrity of all information received over the internet.”
In the report Hiroshima University assured us that the new Beck and Tew attack would only be affective, when the 802.11e is combined with Wi-fi security (WPA). The report also demonstrated that due to the nature of the attack, it would be near on impossible to detect it.
Details of these findings were covered in Ohigashi and Morii report, ‘A Practical Message Falsification Attack on WPA’.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Home Security Wireless Cameras
- Ensuring Security of Wireless Networks
- Wireless Home Security Systems – Why They are Better
- Best Practices in Building a Wireless Enterprise
- Types and Uses of Wireless Camera
- Wireless Router
- Buffalo Midget Wireless N Dongle – the Small Wonder
- Home Security Systems Monitoring
How to Avoid Being Defrauded by Phishing Emails
By: Joey Vella | 28/11/2009These days the volume of Spam email is a significant portion of the email distributed online. These Spam emails consist mainly of people trying to promote products using your unsolicited email address as a sales tool but even more sinister people trying to defraud you of money. This is done via a series of emails designed to spoof you into entering key financial information and is growing in frequency all the time.
DETAILED FEATURES OF LAPTOP THEFT RECOVERY
By: prachi upadhyay | 27/11/2009Laptops are the most portable, advanced and the expensive luxury gadgets, for which their theft has become more common. Though it be a school, college, hotel galleries, convention centers, offices or houses, laptop thieves always keep themselves alert to find opportunities for stealing the laptops. In such cases, it is very important to safeguard the laptops as the more the laptops are stolen, more raises the burden on the insurance companies.
3 Best Ways How Do I Get Rid of Trojan Horse Virus on Computer Without Spending Any Dime
By: A. Wood | 27/11/2009Slow computer response times, modified home page in your browser, desk top shortcuts changed or annoying pop ups every now and then are some signs of the Trojan Downloader agent. To remove trojan virus immediately is the wisest decision you can take when you figure out that your system has this malware.
Worms: The Most Dominant Security Problem
By: Angeline Mabute | 27/11/2009According to Microsoft’s latest version of the semi-annual Security Intelligence Report (SIR), Conficker worm is still one of the most dominant threats of PCs using Windows. Five million computers were found to be infected with Conficker.
Windows Updates: Should You Always Download Them?
By: Hannah Miller | 27/11/2009Whether or not you are a fan of Microsoft, you most likely have a Window’s computer and probably use many of their other products. Is it a good idea to download updates from Microsoft? Here’s a brief discussion on ways to handle Window’s updates.
Windows Updates: A Basic Introduction
By: Hannah Miller | 26/11/2009Ever seen the yellow windows security shield notify you that it’s downloading or installing updates? What are these updates? Should you allow them to install? How can you control Windows updates? Here is an explanation to some of these questions.
How To Effectively Protect Your Computer Privacy
By: Gus | 26/11/2009When you delete a file, email, or piece of internet history on your computer, where do you think it goes? Unfortunately it doesn't just disappear like many of us would think and hope it does. Every time you use your computer, you're leaving little footsteps that can be traced back to everything you do.
How To Effectively Protect Your Computer Privacy
By: Gus | 26/11/2009When you delete a file, email, or piece of internet history on your computer, where do you think it goes? Unfortunately it doesn't just disappear like many of us would think and hope it does. Every time you use your computer, you're leaving little footsteps that can be traced back to everything you do.