Wireless versus Bluetooth security

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 108-120)WEP was the initial standard for WLAN security. It was hacked easily because of inherent flaws in the algorithm itself. This led to technology concerns, which in turn made early adopters cautious. With time WLAN technology matured. Newer and safer standards were developed. Newer authentication and encryption schemes like 802. lx and 802.lli, together with intrnsion detection products from different vendors have brought wireless networks (mainly enterprise wireless networks) to a safety standard near or equal to wired ones. For enterprises, a policy needs to be defined for people who can use WLAN and the restrictions on its use. Authentication and encryption, if present, should be used when critical information is sent or received. Users must be educated on using industrial strength passwords and bad guys must be sniffed out. Using separate networks for secure and unsecure communication is a good plan. With all the above precautions taken, WLAN connectivity can be used without loss of security. Bluetooth technology has also seen the usual learning curve. When the technology started developing, there were many security issues. Earlier phones had security concerns and were potentially hacked. With time, manufacturers started developing software patches to increase security. With the fmther development of this technology, the newer generation Bluetooth phones were safer and had minimal security issues. The newest phones have the combination of Bluetooth and WLAN access in a phone. Both these technologies have matured to a stage where we do not seem to see many security issues with them. I have described Bluetooth in more detail than WLAN security in my thesis. Bluetooth is a newer technology. Not much research work has been done on Bluetooth. In order to understand the security concerns it is essential to know about the basic structure and working of this technology. After describing these individual technologies, I compare them. I then go to the additional part of my thesis: studying srnartphones. In the concluding part I give recommendations to manufacturers and individual owners on ways to keep their smartphones safe. Security features are present these days, whether it is WLAN security or Bluetooth security. Users need to understand them and tum them on