WIRELESS

NETWORKS
BY : SIDHARTH JOSHI
COURSE : BCA
SECTION : B
ROLL NO. : 84
SUBMITTED TO : MRS VANDANA RAWAT
WHAT WILL WE DISCUSS

• INTRODUCTION
• NEED OF WIRELESS NETWORKS
• HOW WIRELESS NETWORKS WORK
• TYPES OF NETWORK
• COMPARISION BETWEEN WIRED AND WIRELESS NETWORK
• ADVANTAGES
• DISADVANTAGES
• APPLICATIONS
• WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORKS
• SECURITY THREATS
• HOW TO PREVENT WIRELESS SECURITY THREATS
INTRODUCTION

• A wireless network is a computer network that uses wireless data connections

between network nodes.
• Wireless networking is a method by which homes, telecommunications networks and
business installations avoid the costly process of introducing cables into a building, or as a
connection between various equipment locations.
• Examples of wireless networks include cell phone networks, wireless local area networks
(WLANs), wireless sensor networks, satellite communication networks, and
terrestrial microwave networks
• The first professional wireless network was developed under the brand ALOHAnet in 1969 at
the University of Hawaii and became operational in June 1971. The first commercial wireless
network was the Wave LAN product family, developed by NCR in 1986.
 1. Increased Mobility: Wireless networks allow mobile users to access real-time
information so they can roam around your company’s space without getting
disconnected from the network. This increases teamwork and productivity
company-wide that is not possible with traditional networks.
2. Installation Speed and Simplicity: Installing a wireless network system

NEED OF reduces cables, which are cumbersome to setup and can impose a safety risk,
should employees' trip on them. It can also be installed quickly and easily,
when compared to a traditional network.

WIRELESS 3. Wider Reach of the Network: The wireless network can be extended to

places in your organization that are not accessible for wires and cables.

NETWORK
4. More Flexibility: Should your network change in the future, you can easily
update the wireless network to meet new configurations.
5. Reduced Cost of Ownership over Time: Wireless networking may carry a
slightly higher initial investment, but the overall expenses over time are
lower. It also may have a longer lifecycle than a traditionally connected
network.
HOW DOES WIRELESS NETWORKS
WORK
• Wireless networks operate using Radio Frequency (RF) technology, a frequency associated with radio wave
propagation within the electromagnetic spectrum. An electromagnetic field is generated when an RF current
is supplied to an antenna that can then spread through space.
• A system recognized as an access point (AP) is the core of a wireless network. An access point’s primary
role is to broadcast a wireless signal sensed and tuned into by computers. Since wireless networks are
typically linked to wired networks, access points often act as a gateway to a wired network’s resources, such
as an Internet connection.
• Computers need to be fitted with wireless network adapters to connect to an access point and join a wireless
network. These are mostly built right into the device, but if not, by using an add-on adapter attached to an
empty expansion slot, USB port, or, in the case of notebooks, a PC card slot, just about any computer or
notebook can be made wireless-capable.
TYPES OF NETWORKS
A computer network is a group of computers linked to each other that enables the computer to communicate with
another computer and share their resources, data, and applications.
A computer network can be categorized by their size. A computer network is mainly of four types:
          
•LAN(Local Area Network)
•PAN(Personal Area Network)
•MAN(Metropolitan Area Network)
•WAN(Wide Area Network)
•LAN(Local Area Network)

Local Area Network is a group of computers connected to each other in a small area such as building, office.

•PAN(Personal Area Network)

Personal Area Network is a network arranged within an individual person, typically within a range of 10 meters.
Personal Area Network is used for connecting the computer devices of personal use is known as Personal Area Network.

•MAN(Metropolitan Area Network)

A metropolitan area network is a network that covers a larger geographic area by interconnecting a different LAN to form a larger network.
Government agencies use MAN to connect to the citizens and private industries.

•WAN(Wide Area Network)

A Wide Area Network is a network that extends over a large geographical area such as states or countries.
A Wide Area Network is quite bigger network than the LAN.
A Wide Area Network is not limited to a single location, but it spans over a large geographical area through a telephone line, fibre optic cable or
satellite links.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WIRED AND
WIRELESS NETWORKS
Wired Network

• In the networking world, “Wired” as the name suggests refers to any physical medium connected through wires and
cables. The wires/cables can be copper wire, twisted pair or even fiber optic. Wired connectivity is responsible for
providing high security with high Bandwidth provisioned for each user. In fact, Wired connectivity is considered
highly reliable and incurs very low delay, unlike Wireless connectivity.
 
Wireless Network
• “Wireless” as the term refers, uses air as a medium to send electromagnetic waves or infrared waves. Wireless
devices have antennas for communication. Wireless connectivity provides a major benefit of user mobility and ease
of deployment. Wireless becomes more useful in areas where Wires can’t be reached.
• Though wireless connectivity is less secured and higher delay than wired connectivity, it is still preferred
communication technology for customers. Wireless also earns low Installation cost in contrast to wired connectivity.
 
ADVANTAGES OF WIRELESS
NETWORK
1. Accessibility: Wireless networks do not require any wires or cables, and hence the users can communicate even when
they are moving. It allows users to roam around without getting disconnected. As a result, there is a productivity
improvement.
2. Easy installation: Installing a wireless network is faster and easier compared to a wired network. It also reduces the
usage of cables that are difficult to set up and imposes the risk of safety since the user can trip on the wires and fall. If
users want to change the network, they have to update the wireless network to meet the new configurations.
3. Wider reach: Wireless networks have a wider reach than wired networks. They can be easily extended to places where
wires and cables are not accessible.
4. Flexibility: Setting up a wireless network helps the user to do work from home easily. Due to this network, users can
work more productively and have accessibility to customer data.
5. Efficiency: Wireless networks allow improved and better communication of data. With a wireless network, the transfer
of information between users is much faster.
6. Cost-effective: Wireless networks are cost-effective since they are cheaper and easier to install. Even though their initial
investment is high, with time, the overall expenses become lower
DISADVANTAGES OF WIRELESS
NETWORK
• Security: Security is a big issue while using wireless networks. If a wireless network is not installed correctly or
maintained correctly, it may cause severe security threats. Connecting physical components such as wires is not
required by a wireless network
• Speed: The speed of the wireless network is slower than the speed of wired networks. Transferring or sharing
files is much slower in a wireless network. The speed also depends on the location of the user concerning the
network. The farther the user is from the network, the worse the connection becomes. This is a huge problem for
large spaces or buildings.
• Cost: Wireless networks are usually inexpensive, but the cost of installation is very high. Setting up a wireless
network is very costly, and sometimes there are extra costs along with it. A wireless network may require the
setting up of specific equipment, which can be costly.
• Coverage: The coverage area of a wireless network is minimal. A typical wireless router allows users within the
range of 150 to 300 feet to use the network.
APPLICATIONS OF WIRELESS NETWORKS

: INTERNET ACCESS (TO ACCESS HIGH SPEED INTERNET).

: INVENTORY CONTROL (HELPS THE BUISNESSES LOWERING OPERATING COSTS).
: HEALTH CARE (TO IMPROVE OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY AND CONVENIENCE).
: EDUCATION (TO PROVIDE NETWORKS TO THEIR STUDENTS).
: UTILITIES (TO MONITOR THE DISTRIBUTION OR THE CHANGES TIME TO TIME).
: PUBLIC NETWORKS (PROVIDING CONNECTIVITY TO THE PUBLIC).
WIRELESS
SENSOR
NETWORKS
• WSNs stands for Wireless Sensor Networks can be defined as a self-configured and infrastructure-less
wireless network to observe physical or environmental conditions, like temperature, pressure, motion,
sound, vibration, or pollutants, and to directly pass their data or information through the network to a sink
which is also called the main location where the information is often observed and analyzed.
• The sensory nodes can communicate with each other by using radio signals. The wireless sensor nodes
are equipped with sensing and radio transceivers, computing devices, and power components.
• A sensor node in a wireless sensor network is inherently resource-constrained, also it has limited
processing speed, storage capacity, and communication bandwidth
• Wireless sensor devices are often equipped with actuators to “act” upon certain conditions. These
networks are sometimes or normally called Wireless Sensor Network and Actuator Network. 
SECURITY THREATS

• Piggybacking
If you fail to secure your wireless network, anyone with a wireless-enabled computer in range of your access point can use your connection
• Evil Twin Attacks
In an evil twin attack, an adversary gathers information about a public network access point, then sets up their system to impersonate it.
• Unauthorized Computer Access
An unsecured public wireless network combined with unsecured file sharing could allow a malicious user to access any directories and files
you have unintentionally made available for sharing. Ensure that when you connect your devices to public networks, you deny sharing files
and folders.
• Shoulder Surfing
In public areas malicious actors can simply glance over your shoulder as you type. By simply watching you, they can steal sensitive or
personal information. 
HOW TO PREVENT WIRELESS SECURITY
THREATS
• Change default passwords
 Changing default passwords makes it harder for attackers to access a device. Use and periodic changing of complex passwords is your first line of
defense in protecting your device.
• Restrict access
Only allow authorized users to access your network
• Encrypt the data on your network
 Encrypting your wireless data prevents anyone who might be able to access your network from viewing it. 
• Install a firewall
 Consider installing a firewall directly on your wireless devices, as well as on your home network Attackers who can directly tap into your wireless
network may be able to circumvent your network firewall—a host-based firewall will add a layer of protection to the data on your computer
• Maintain antivirus software
Install antivirus software and keep your virus definitions up to date.
• Connect using a Virtual Private Network (VPN)