Detection of rogue access point using various parameters

Abstract

The wireless local area network (WLAN) communication is a rapidly growing approach for data sharing. A wireless network provides network access to mobile devices. Benefits of WLAN are like flexibility, mobility, portability, imposes performance, and security requirements. Such communication brings new network security threats. Physical security of wireless networks is impossible because wireless network signals are unidirectional and can proceed out of intended coverage area. Intruder with an apt wireless receiver can snoop into the network still remaining virtually undetected. In a WLAN, the most important security apprehension is the presence of rogue access point (RAP). These RAPs can be definitely used by persons with inadequate security knowledge. Most of the security threats require an advanced technical knowledge or expensive intrusion devices. A RAP is a wireless AP, which is installed in a secure wireless network without network administrator permission. Such RAP allows intruder to do a man in the middle (MITM) attack. Existence of such RAP causes security threats in WLAN. The access point is very popular because of features like mobility, scalability, cost effectiveness, and ease of installation. Airtight report shows that lack of knowledge about secure wireless network causes number of security threats.