4.3. Working with Wireless Systems

Wireless systems, plainly put, are systems that don't use wires to send information but rather transmit it through the air. The growth of wireless systems creates several opportunities for attackers. These systems are relatively new, they use well-established communications mechanisms, and they're easily intercepted.

The following sections discuss the various types of wireless systems that you'll encounter and mention some of the security issues associated with this technology. Specifically, they deal with Wireless Transport Layer Security (WTLS), the IEEE 802 wireless standards, WEP/WAP applications, and the vulnerabilities that each presents.