Why Wi-Fi is a Security Risk for Your Business’s Wireless Network

Nowadays, installation of security cameras and locking doors is not sufficient to keep your premises safe. Similarly, a wireless network’s default security is not enough to keep your business safe. Indeed, the most popular and widely used wireless network Wi-Fi does present its own set of cybersecurity concerns. Thus, setting network passwords, installing private in-building wireless systems and setting up virtual private networks (VPN) for remote workers ensures your digital assets are safeguarded against data breaches.

Why is Wi-Fi Risky for Your Business?

Wi-Fi networks are notorious for providing easy access points for threat actors to enter and hijack business data. There are six known Wi-Fi threats:

1. Rogue Access Point allows attackers to bypass perimeter security. Hackers can easily plug into easy access points from a wire closet within the network’s perimeter. Once connected, all data transferred becomes fair game. Attention retail store owners! Hackers can now hijack POS systems to reveal credit card numbers.
2. “Evil Twin” Access Point lures users to connect to it to spy on traffic, steal data and infect systems. For instance, if your employees log in to an online shopping site while remotely working. Hackers can potentially trick them into connecting to their SSID. Once connected the hacker has access to all the data shared.
3. Rogue Client delivers malware payloads to the network after connecting to malicious access points. Phones and mobile devices remember wireless networks they have connected to in the past. In case, your employee was connected to an unsecure network. It is possible they might be bringing malware back to your office or its network. His device then becomes a rogue client.
4. Neighbour Access Point risks infection from connecting to other SSIDs while in range of an authorized access point. Even though, you may think connecting to an unsecured network at a coffee shop seems effortless. A hacker is waiting around the corner to gain access to your network.
5. Ad-hoc Network uses peer-to-peer connections to evade security controls and drop malware. Sending files via AirDrop or AirDroid creates security and legal implications that could affect your organization.
6. Misconfigured Access Point configuration errors can expose critical business data to attack. Faulty networks increase the risk of leaking private company data.

How Remote Workers can Practice Safe Wireless Activity.

These threats are not new and have been around since Wi-Fi went mainstream 20 years ago. However, they have become more pronounced after the recent pandemic forced companies to go remote. The threats are a reality of the fundamental nature of Wi-Fi:Anyone with a Wi-Fi access point, router, or smartphone can choose whatever SSID network name they’d like to broadcast. This means anyone can use these attack vectors to steal passwords, access files from various cloud storage accounts, intercept emails, install malware that monitors the camera and microphone inside your smartphone. The consequences are fatal when the compromised device accesses the company database.

1. Set Up a VPN For Remote Workers A Virtual Private Network (VPN) allows remote workers to connect securely to the company network even when they’re away from the office. VPNs encrypt transmissions at the start and endpoints and keep out unidentified traffic.
2. Update Public Usage Terms In public settings, malicious actors can gain sensitive information simply by looking at an unfiltered screen or stealing a device. Coach remote employees to be aware of their surroundings, and to remain discreet with the information viewed or accessed while in public.
3. Avoid using public Wi-Fi If a company cannot set up a VPN, most mobile carriers provide the option to set up a private mobile “hotspot” through a smartphone that can support a laptop to avoid using public Wi-Fi altogether.
4. Use HTTPS-enabled websites These websites block intrusive agents—whether benign or malicious—from tampering with the connection between websites and user browsers to acquire personal information.

What can be done

Switching from Wi-Fi to a private in-building wireless connection can help protect the company’s central network. Establishing secure options for remote workers further defends a business in the face of potential hacking and unauthorized access. Wireless network security measures will help preserve and protect not only company data but the vital client and financial information as well.

It is evident that internet access over Wi-Fi is not only precarious but can have a detrimental impact on a company if critical data falls on the hands of a threat actor looking to exploit it. What businesses need today is a Wi-Fi that secures their wireless environment 24/7/365 while providing the scalability, performance, and productivity to drive the best ROI for their business.

How we can help

Our mobile security action plan will help you in building Wi-Fi security standards to protect everyone from these six known Wi-Fi threat categories. At CSG Technologies, we are dedicated to increasing the availability of secure, high-performance wireless connections that is built on a trusted wireless environment, so you do not have to worry about their data being compromised.

Do you want to read more on this topic? Check out these articles:

• Securing Remote Network Access for Business Continuity in Times Of Crisis: A Guide
• High Performance Wireless Networks
• 5 Reasons Your Wireless Network Is Frustrating
• Resources
• Five Ways to Keep Your Data Secure with Remote Workers in 2020