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A.3 Corinex Authorized Powerline Partners Program
We also advise you to visit our Corinex Authorized Powerline Partners Program web
page (cappp.corinex.com), as you can find here valuable information about complex
applications and installations, along with the partners in your area that provide
installation services.
Appendix B: Wireless Security
A Brief Overview
Whenever data - in the form of files, emails, or messages - is transmitted over your
wireless network, it is open to attacks. Wireless networking is inherently risky because it
broadcasts information on radio waves. Just like signals from your cellular or cordless
phone can be intercepted, signals from your wireless network can also be compromised.
What are the risks inherent in wireless networking? Read on.
What Are The Risks?
Computer network hacking is nothing new. With the advent of wireless networking,
hackers use methods both old and new to do everything from stealing your bandwidth to
stealing your data. There are many ways this is done, some simple, some complex. As a
wireless user, you should be aware of the many ways they do this.
Every time a wireless transmission is broadcast, signals are sent out from your wireless
PC or access point, but not always directly to its destination. The receiving PC or access
point can hear the signal because it is within that radius. Just as with a cordless phone,
cellular phone, or any kind of radio device, anyone else within that radius, who has their
device set to the same channel or bandwidth can also receive those transmission.
Wireless networks are easy to find. Hackers know that, in order to join a wireless
network, your wireless PC will typically first listen for "beacon messages". These are
identifying packets transmitted from the wireless network to announce its presence to
wireless nodes looking to connect. These beacon frames are unencrypted and contain
much of the network's information, such as the network's SSID (Service Set Identifier)
and the IP address of the network PC or access point. The SSID is analogous to the
network's name. With this information broadcast to anyone within range, hackers are
often provided with just the information they need to access that network.
One result of this, seen in many large cities and business districts, is called
"Warchalking". This is the term used for hackers looking to access free bandwidth and
free Internet access through your wireless network. The marks they chalk into the city
streets are well documented in the Internet and communicate exactly where available
wireless bandwidth is located for the taking.
Even keeping your network settings, such as the SSID and the channel, secret won't
prevent a hacker from listening for those beacon messages and stealing that
