MODULE 16 — OVERVIEW (EXAM CONTEXT)
| Item | Memorize |
| Module Number | 16 |
| Module Name | Hacking Wireless Networks |
| Focus | Wireless concepts, threats, attacks, tools, countermeasures |
LEARNING OBJECTIVES (DO NOT SKIP — EXAM LIST)
| Objective # | Description |
| 01 | Summarize wireless concepts |
| 02 | Explain different wireless encryption algorithms |
| 03 | Explain different wireless threats |
| 04 | Demonstrate wireless hacking methodology |
| 05 | Explain wireless attack countermeasures |
OBJECTIVE 01 — SUMMARIZE WIRELESS CONCEPTS
WIRELESS NETWORK — CORE DEFINITION
| Term | Definition |
| Wireless Network | A network that uses radio-wave transmission to communicate at the physical layer instead of cables |
MEMORY HOOK:
No wires = radio waves
WIRELESS COMMUNICATION MEDIUM
| Component | Explanation |
| Transmission | Uses electromagnetic (EM) waves |
| Carrier | Air |
| Nature | Broadcast-based |
EXAM TRAP:
Wireless = broadcast, not point-to-point.
WIRELESS NETWORK TERMINOLOGY (VERY HIGH YIELD)
GLOBAL SYSTEM FOR MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS (GSM)
| Item | Memorize |
| GSM | Universal system for mobile data transmission worldwide |
BANDWIDTH
| Item | Memorize |
| Bandwidth | Amount of data transferred per second |
| Unit | bits per second (bps) |
ACCESS POINT (AP)
| Item | Memorize |
| Access Point | Device that connects wireless devices to a wired network |
| Function | Acts as a switch or hub |
BASIC SERVICE SET IDENTIFIER (BSSID)
| Item | Memorize |
| BSSID | MAC address of the access point |
| Role | Identifies a wireless access point |
EXAM TRAP:
SSID ≠ BSSID
HOTSPOT
| Item | Memorize |
| Hotspot | Public wireless access location |
| Examples | Airports, cafes, libraries |
ASSOCIATION
| Item | Memorize |
| Association | Process of connecting a wireless device to an AP |
WIRELESS SIGNAL TECHNIQUES (VERY EXAM-IMPORTANT)
ORTHOGONAL FREQUENCY-DIVISION MULTIPLEXING (OFDM)
| Item | Memorize |
| OFDM | Digital modulation using multiple orthogonal subcarriers |
| Benefit | Higher data rates, reduced interference |
| Item | Memorize |
| MIMO | Uses multiple antennas |
| Benefit | Increased throughput and reliability |
DIRECT-SEQUENCE SPREAD SPECTRUM (DSSS)
| Item | Memorize |
| DSSS | Spreads signal over wide frequency band |
| Purpose | Prevent jamming |
FREQUENCY-HOPPING SPREAD SPECTRUM (FHSS)
| Item | Memorize |
| FHSS | Rapid frequency changes |
| Purpose | Reduce interception |
MEMORY BLOCK (SIGNALS):
OFDM = speed, MIMO = power, DSSS = spread, FHSS = hop
WIRELESS NETWORKS — DEFINITION
| Item | Memorize |
| Wireless Network | Uses radio-wave transmission to communicate at the physical layer |
ADVANTAGES OF WIRELESS NETWORKS
| Advantage |
| Easy installation |
| No cables |
| Mobility |
| Public access availability |
DISADVANTAGES OF WIRELESS NETWORKS
| Disadvantage |
| Security risks |
| Bandwidth degradation |
| Interference |
| Hardware compatibility issues |
EXAM TRAP:
Wireless = less secure by default
TYPES OF WIRELESS NETWORKS
EXTENSION TO WIRED NETWORK
| Feature | Description |
| Purpose | Extend wired LAN |
| Device | Access Point |
| Function | Bridges wired and wireless |
MULTIPLE ACCESS POINTS
| Feature | Description |
| Purpose | Expand coverage |
| Requirement | Overlapping channels |
| Benefit | Seamless roaming |
LAN-TO-LAN WIRELESS NETWORK
| Feature | Description |
| Purpose | Connect two LANs |
| Medium | Wireless bridge |
| Complexity | High |
3G / 4G / 5G HOTSPOT
| Feature | Description |
| Source | Cellular network |
| Devices | Phones, tablets, laptops |
| Role | Provides Wi-Fi via mobile data |
MEMORY HOOK:
Extend → Expand → Bridge → Hotspot
WIRELESS STANDARDS (IEEE 802.11) — CRITICAL
IEEE 802.11 — CORE IDEA
| Item | Memorize |
| IEEE 802.11 | Wireless LAN standard |
| Operates | 2.4 GHz / 5 GHz |
COMMON IEEE 802.11 STANDARDS (TABLE — EXAM FAVORITE)
| Standard | Frequency | Modulation | Speed (Mbps) | Range (m) |
| 802.11 | 2.4 | DSSS, FHSS | 1–2 | 20–100 |
| 802.11a | 5 | OFDM | 6–54 | 35–100 |
| 802.11b | 2.4 | DSSS | 1–11 | 35–140 |
| 802.11g | 2.4 | OFDM | 54 | 38–140 |
| 802.11n | 2.4/5 | MIMO-OFDM | 54–600 | 70–250 |
EXTENDED STANDARDS (DO NOT SKIP)
| Standard | Purpose |
| 802.11i | Security (WPA2) |
| 802.11e | QoS |
| 802.11h | Power control |
| 802.11ac | High throughput |
| 802.11ax | Wi-Fi 6 |
MEMORY HOOK (ORDER):
b → a → g → n → ac → ax
SERVICE SET IDENTIFIER (SSID)
SSID — DEFINITION
| Item | Memorize |
| SSID | Human-readable WLAN name |
| Nature | Logical identifier |
SSID BEHAVIOR
| Property | Detail |
| Broadcast | Enabled by default |
| Security | Provides NO security |
| Visibility | Can be hidden |
EXAM TRAP:
Hidden SSID ≠ secure network