Types of Wireless Network Attacks & How to Prevent Them

06 March, 2024
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Within today’s modernization, where connection to the internet is as fundamental as breathing, it is critical that our wireless networks are protected. Craw Security, the leading provider of VAPT (Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing) solutions in Singapore, is committed to protecting your digital domain from a wide range of wireless network attacks.

This article explores a range of wireless network attack types and provides an overview of efficacious preventive measures.

What are Wireless Network Attacks?

Unauthorized activities that are directed at wireless networks constitute wireless network attacks. By capitalizing on weaknesses in wireless technology, these assaults illicitly enter networks, pilfer confidential information, or disrupt normal operations. In contrast to conventional networks, wireless networks are more vulnerable to interception and unauthorized access due to the fact that they transmit data via airwaves.

Types of Wireless Network Attacks

Evil Twin: One method of launching an ‘Evil Twin’ attack is to create a rogue Wi-Fi access point that gives the impression of being legitimate but is actually controlled by a hacker. When users connect to this network, they provide the attacker with access to their data without their knowledge.
Packet sniffing: Data packets that are being transmitted across a wireless network are captured and analyzed by devices known as packet sniffers. Intercepting sensitive information is possible through the use of this method by attackers.
Wireless access point: Attackers have the ability to acquire network access or intercept data by exploiting wireless access points that are either unauthorized or that lack adequate security.
Jamming: In order to interfere with the typical operation of a wireless network, wireless signal jamming involves the interference of noise or other signals operating at the same frequency as the signal being jammed.
Encryption: For the purpose of gaining illegal access to a network, attackers may take advantage of encryption methods that are either ineffective or obsolete, such as WEP.
Bluejacking: The act of sending unsolicited messages or files to Bluetooth-enabled devices is known as bluejacking. This practice can serve as a precursor to more destructive operations.
Denial of service: In a denial of service attack, the attacker overwhelms the network with an overwhelming amount of traffic, making it inaccessible to those who are authorized to use it.
Password theft: This is accomplished by collecting the passwords that users use to access a wireless network, typically through the use of phishing or other forms of social engineering tactics.
Spoofing: An attacker can carry out a spoofing attack by masquerading their device as a genuine component of the network in order to intercept or inject harmful data.
Cracking attack: The purpose of these assaults is to gain unauthorized access to a network by breaking its security mechanisms, which may include passwords or encryption keys.

Apart from the above-mentioned Types of Wireless Network Attacks, there are some other types of Wireless Network Attacks that are described in the following table:

WEP attacks	Wire Equivalent Privacy, sometimes known as WEP, is susceptible to a wide variety of attacks because of the inherent vulnerabilities that it possesses in terms of encryption.
Open Network Attacks	Due to the absence of encryption and robust authentication, open networks that are not secured are extremely vulnerable to a wide variety of cyber attacks.
Piggybacking	The term “piggybacking” refers to the act of gaining unauthorized access to a wireless network by taking advantage of the connection of a valid user.
Replay Attacks	An attacker will perform a replay attack by intercepting a data communication and then retransmitting it in order to produce an effect that is not authorized.
War Chalking	War chalking is the practice of marking regions where people have access to unprotected Wi-Fi networks in order to make those sites known to anyone who might be interested in attacking them.
WPS Attacks	The Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) protocol, which is utilized in the process of connecting devices to a wireless network, is vulnerable to attacks that take advantage of weaknesses.
Man-in-the-Middle Attacks	During these assaults, communications between two parties are intercepted and altered without the knowledge of either of the parties involved.
War Driving	The practice of searching for wireless networks by traveling around in a vehicle is known as “war driving.” Attackers frequently employ this technique to discover networks that are vulnerable to attack.
DNS Hijacking	DNS hijacking is a technique that redirects users from genuine websites to fraudulent websites, with the intention of potentially stealing information or delivering infections.
Wardriving	War driving is a term that is used to describe the process of driving about in order to attack vulnerabilities in wireless networks. Wardriving is a very similar term to war driving.

Preventing Wireless Network Attacks: Safeguarding Your Digital Domain

To protect against these attacks, implement the following strategies:

Use Strong Encryption	To ensure the safety of your wireless networks, you should implement strong encryption standards such as WPA3.
Regularly Update Firmware	Your routers and access points should always have the most recent firmware installed on them.
Secure Wi-Fi Access Points	Make certain that every access point has been allowed and is set up in a secure manner.
Monitor Network Traffic	Make use of tools for monitoring networks in order to identify unexpected behaviors.
Implement Strong Password Policies	Use passwords that are difficult to guess and change them frequently.
Educate Users	Users should be made aware of the dangers of connecting to networks that they are not familiar with, as well as the significance of following security procedures.
Disable WPS	Wi-Fi Protected Setup, which is notorious for its weaknesses, should be disabled if it is not strictly necessary.
Use a VPN	The usage of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) should be encouraged for the purpose of providing greater security, particularly for remote access.
Implement Access Control	Access to the network should be restricted according to user roles and devices.
Regular VAPT Assessments	In order to discover and address potential security gaps, it is important to conduct vulnerability assessments and penetration testing on a regular basis.

FAQs

About Wireless network attacks

1: What are the most common attacks on wireless networks?

Wi-Fi eavesdropping, Evil Twin attacks, Man-in-the-Middle attacks, password theft, and WEP/WPA attacks are the most typical types of attacks that are carried out against wireless networks.

2: What are the common threats to wireless connectivity?

Unauthorized access, data interception and theft, signal jamming, spoofing assaults, and flaws in inadequate encryption are some of the common risks that wireless communication faces.

3: What is the most common attack on network?

The Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is the most prevalent type of attack on networks. This type of attack causes a network to become overloaded with traffic, which in turn disrupts the services that are being provided.

4: What kind of attacks are possible on mobile cell phones?

Malware, phishing attacks, spyware, other threats based on applications, and network-based assaults such as Wi-Fi sniffing are all examples of attacks that can be launched against mobile cell phones.

5: What are the most common types of mobile threats?

Malicious software, phishing scams, spyware, unsecured applications, and insecure Wi-Fi connections are the most frequent sorts of dangers that can be found on mobile devices.

6: What are mobile attacks?

Mobile attacks are any malicious action that targets mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, with the intention of stealing data, monitoring user activities, or disrupting operations.

7: What are the six 6 types of attacks on network security?

The following are the six most common types of assaults on network security: malware attacks, phishing attacks, Man-in-the-Middle attacks, distributed denial of service attacks, SQL injection attacks, and zero-day exploits.

8: What are common attacks?

Assaults such as phishing, malware, ransomware, distributed denial of service assaults, and password attacks are common in the field of cybersecurity.

9: What are the two main types of network attacks?

The two primary categories of network attacks are passive attacks, which involve the monitoring and collection of information, and active attacks, which involve the targeting of a network with the intention of disrupting or manipulating its operations.

10: What are the 4 types of cyber attacks?

Denial-of-Service (DoS) and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) assaults, Man-in-the-Middle attacks, Phishing attacks, and Password assaults are the four primary forms of cyber attacks.

11: What are three common network attacks against organizations?

Phishing, in which the perpetrators attempt to steal critical information, distributed denial of service attacks, in which the systems are overloaded in order to disrupt services, and malware assaults, in which harmful software is introduced into a network, are three of the most common types of network attacks that are carried out against businesses.

12: What is DDoS attack?

A distributed denial of service assault, often known as a DDoS attack, is an attack that involves flooding a system, network, or website with more traffic than it is able to manage, to the point that it becomes unworkable. This kind of assault often makes use of a network of computers that have been compromised, which is referred to as a botnet, in order to create a significant volume of traffic.

Wrapping Up

Understanding the many kinds of attacks that can be launched against wireless networks is the first step in protecting them. Implementing robust security measures, educating users on safe practices, and frequently monitoring and updating network security are all essential steps to take in order to reduce the likelihood of these dangers occurring.

If you have an unsaturated network that needs to be mitigated then you can contact Craw Security, the best penetration testing service provider in Singapore that facilitates its world-class VAPT Solutions through the most curated penetration testers in the vicinity of Singapore. To book a slot with our international-standard pentesters, call or WhatsApp our hotline number +65-93515400.