Hacking Techniques in Wireless Networks

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Hacking Techniques in Wireless Networks

Prabhaker Mateti

Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Wright State University
Dayton, Ohio 45435-0001


Abstract

This article describes IEEE 802.11-specific hacking techniques that attackers have used, and suggests various defensive measures. We describe sniffing, spoofing and probing in the context of wireless networks. We describe how SSIDs can be determined, how a sufficiently large number of frames can be collected so that WEP can be cracked. We show how easy it is to cause denial-of-service through jamming and through forged disassociations and deauthentications. We also explain three man-in-the-middle attacks using wireless networks. We give a list of selected open-source tools. We summarize the activity known as war driving. We conclude the article with several recommendations that will help improve security at a wireless deployment site.