INTRODUCTION

A wireless local area network (WLAN) is a system that links two or more devices by the use of
wireless distribution technology and provides a connection through an access point for wide
network coverage. It is increasingly becoming popular due to its ease of installation and the
switch to the use of portable devices such as lap tops and smart phones. On the other hand
apart from making connectivity easier and cheap, WLANS create security concerns over data
being transmitted, this method of wide area connection faces threats of major concerns.
However much security systems have been put in place to curb these threats, these security
solutions face various limitations. Even more so, there are a number of security solutions
available at the moments that are less susceptible to threats. However viable these new and less
vulnerable solutions are, they come with other challenges.

There are a number of reasons as to why WLANS create security problems. First is that of as a
result of using peer to peer technology. This technology was introduced to reduce costs on
coaxial cables in Ethernet LAN but due to the sharing involved in its usage, it creates unsecure
connections. Secondly is due to its broadcast feature. When data is sent, it moves from all parts
of the cable towards the receiving device. In the process of data moving from the host to the
receiving device hackers could watch over it by sniffing and could also access and use your
network password. Thirdly, tough physical security systems are put in place to ensure the
network is free of intruders and hackers, the radio waves used in transmission makes it
accessible from outside the building and can therefore be hacked into. Therefore the airborne
nature of WLAN predisposes the network to intruders and attacks of various kinds.