GSM phnoes use encrypted technology that enables secure voice and data transmission during a call. GSM technology uses an algorithm to ensure the autheticity of the caller and the integrity of the channel, even when you are roaming in a foreign country.The most interesting and potentially contentious area of wireless security that, for iwreless lcoal area networks and Wi-Fi networks, they are quickly becoming the communications method choice. Wireless signals do not recognize corporate or geographical boundaries, and limited to distribution network configuration. Even in the office you will find smal areas or "blind spots" where coveerage is weak or nonexistenmt.
Thus, it is possilbe for a ranndom syurfer to "happen by" on the foreign network. How can you proetct ahgainst this happening? Wireless loccal area networks use sprread-spectrum technology - a method that allowws radio signals difficult to intercept. Most of the Wi-Fi systems also iclude a form login and password. Of course, spread-sectrum signals can be intercepted with a relaitvely simple wireless card and many netowrks are not properly set up the password featyure and provides easy access to anyone. The fact that the "workers" have to go through some form of physical security beforre they can access the network only adds to that a wireless network may not be as secure as equipment manufacturers woyuld have us belireve. The problem with wiureless security in the main techniacl problems in the way the signals are enncrypted.
The original wireless LANs (WLAN) used the Wireless Encryption Protocol (WEP). It was replaced in late 2002 with Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA). Essentially, WPA offered improved data encryption using a temporary Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP). TKIP feaure scramnbles the keys uisng a hashing algorithm and ensures that the keys have not been tampered with. WEP only uses a static key that is seldom changed by users. This led to a cryptographic weakness of many securiyty breaches in networks WLAN, becaue attackers can with relativve ease, generate an encryption key and access to the wireless netrwork. While WPA offers enhanced security features WEP more, not all industry observers are completeely satisfied. New problem was noted with the WPA, the use of poorly chosen paasswords for the netwrk. Criminnals itnent on compromising WLAN can use simple dicitonary softwarre to overcome the system password.
Frankly, this deficiency occurs only with a short text keys are used does not give an error in the protocool WPA. WLAN manufacturers can circumvetn this problem by inlcuding the possibility to generate randdom keys over the newtork and the introduction of user requirements conceerning the length and style of passwords. Microsoft responded to this potential thtreat, providing a load Windows XP, which changees the way the operatiing system interacts with a network of Wi-Fi - using separately generaated keys for each user, rather than one, though encrytpted, the key to connect to the network
