1.3 802.11bWireless Network Configurations
We can classify wireless networks into two different
classes of wireless network scenarios: large institutional
networks and small individual wireless hotspots. Even
though the risks are generally the same over both deployments,
it may be useful to consider them separately.
1.3.1 Rogue Access Points
A rogue access point is an access point deployed on a
large centrally administered network outside the administrative
controls established for the authorized wireless access
points. Without mutual authentication to the network,
clients could inadvertently connect to one of these Rogue
APs and thus be at risk.
There are precautions that can be taken by the network
administrators to detect and prevent these Rogue APs, however,
only securing this network will not resolve a clients
vulnerabilities in other networks. A client compromised
elsewhere could then return to the secured institutional
wireless network and create additional an additional threat.