Review on Network Control and Protection Systems

Abstract

The most common type of network use is Wi-Fi security, which includes Wired Network Equivalent Privacy (WEP) and Wireless Secure Access (WPA). WEP is a notorious security standard, with poor security and protection. Mostly, your passwords can be cracked in a few minutes using a laptop with some widely available software tools. WEP is an old security standard (since 1997), which was replaced in 2003 by a more efficient security standard, WPA or Wi-Fi Protected Access. The current and most secure and protected standard is WPA2; As some devices cannot support WPA2 without firmware upgrade or replacement. WPA2 uses a stronger encryption device which helps to encrypt the network using a 256-bit key. Many portable computers (laptops) have wireless cards pre-installed, which allow these devices to access wireless networks. However, wireless networks are susceptible to some security issues. Computer hackers have discovered that wireless networks are relatively easy to hack, even using wireless techniques to penetrate wired networks. There are some common procedures used to strengthen and protect security policies towards wireless networks such as Wireless Intrusion Prevention Systems (WIPS) or Wireless Intrusion Detection Systems (WIDS).