########## How secure is the wireless network at NTNU? ########## 


    -=Wireless networks are unsecure=-

    
	There is a general opinion amongst people that 
      *wireless networks are unsecure*, and should not be used when
      transmitting sensitive information. This opinion is helped by different
      articles is news and media.
    



    -=Background for this perception=-

    
	Wireless networks transmit data as radio signals. These signals can be
      intercepted and theoretically processed and understood by anyone who is within
      distance of the transmitter. Because of this *wireless networks are open
	for everyone* with a wireless network card. This makes it quite easy
      for dishonest users to *listen* to data that is transmitted and capture
      *passwords, account information and other sensitive information*.
    


      
    -=Solutions for achieving security=-

    
	Fortunately there are several ways to make a wireless network secure. One
      of these engages encryption, by means of *WEP* (Wireless Encryption
      Protocol). The signals between the base station and the client are
      *encrypted* with a shared key.
    



    
	WEP has, unfortunately, a couple of *negative aspects*, which make
      this solution *far from ideal*. The encryption is relatively weak, so
      *breaking the key* is quite simple. This gives you a false sense of
      security. An other aspect with WEP is the key, which has to be known by both the base
      station and the client. *Administration and allocation of the keys* is
      a problem.
    



    
	Another solution for achieving a secure wireless network is to use
      *Access lists*. This requires that all computers, which want to use the
      wireless network, have to be *registered before they can use the network*.
      This solution has a couple of problems too. Administration of the access lists is one of
      them. It is also possible for clients to use a *fake identity* to gain access
      to the wireless network.
    



    -=NTNU's solution=-
  
    
	Due to the problems with the solutions mentioned above NTNU has chosen a different
      solution. NTNU uses a solution which demand some extra resources, but is much 
      *more secure than the other solutions; VPN*. This solution demands that
      clients, which want to access the wireless network, have to *authenticate themselves
	with the username and password*. All data transmitted is *encrypted with
	a strong algorithm, which is very hard to break*. You can read more about this at VPN. 
    



    -=Resulting security=-
    
	VPN provides a high degree of security, so *wireless network connections 
	are at least as secure as network connections through cable*. So you do not
      have to worry about security.
    



  Videre lesing: Generelt om det trådløse nettverket ved NTNUOppsett av trådløst nettverk med Windows 2000Oppsett av trådløst nettverk med Windows XPOppsett av trådløst nettverk på LinuxMore about VPNLenker fra artikkelen: VPN - Virtual Private Network