Wireless Vs. Wired Security
If you are connecting to the Internet or even a local network, you may be curious about how wired and wireless connections fare when security is taken into account. The two methods are distinct in several ways.
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Local Network Basics
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In a local computer network, each computer connects with an Ethernet adapter to a router or hub. A router can connect to the Internet and allow computers to transfer files and data over this network.
Wireless Basics
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Unlike a wired network, a wireless one does not require any physical connection to the network. This allows for higher mobility and general convenience, but the flip side is reduced security, since information is being passed through the air instead of insulated wires.
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Securing a Wireless Connection
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WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) is a protocol used to encrypt information being sent over a wireless network. It scrambles the data in a way that requires a key to unscramble it at its destination. To access a WPA-enabled network, you need to enter a password.
Wired Security
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It is generally much more difficult for a person to sneak into a wired network because they need physical access. They only need proximity for a wireless network. However, someone accessing a wired network will usually not be prompted for a password to connect.
Tracking Wireless Devices
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With a wireless network, one must keep tabs on devices that are authorized to connect. If they are misplaced or stolen, the person who receives that device will have access, requiring the administrator to change the network password--assuming they are aware of the problem.
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