CyberCode Academy

Course 14 - Wi-Fi Pentesting | Episode 11: Securing Wireless Networks: Countermeasures and Configuration

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In this lesson, you’ll learn about:
  • Why common wireless security features like captive portals and WEP are fundamentally unsafe
  • How to properly secure Wi-Fi networks using WPA/WPA2 and strong passwords
  • The real risks of WPS and Evil Twin attacks
  • How user behavior impacts wireless security
  • Step-by-step best practices for securely configuring a wireless router
  • How MAC address access control adds an extra defensive layer
Part 1: Identifying and Eliminating Wireless Network Vulnerabilities Captive Portals Are Insecure Captive portals (login pages shown before internet access) are:
  • Fundamentally insecure
  • Do not encrypt traffic
  • Allow attackers to:
    • Sniff user data
    • Steal login credentials
✅ Recommended Alternative:
Use WPA/WPA2 Enterprise with a RADIUS server, which:
  • Provides encrypted communication
  • Offers individual user authentication
  • Prevents traffic sniffing
  • Delivers the same access-control functionality with real security
WEP Must Never Be Used WEP encryption is:
  • Completely broken
  • Easily cracked in minutes
  • Especially dangerous with Shared Key Authentication
❌ Conclusion:
WEP should be disabled permanently, regardless of use case. WPS Must Be Disabled WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup):
  • Can be brute-forced
  • Can expose the real Wi-Fi password or PIN
  • Is frequently exploited in real-world attacks
✅ Best Practice:
Always disable WPS from router settings. Defending WPA/WPA2 Against Password Attacks The main remaining weakness in WPA/WPA2:
  • Wordlist and brute-force attacks
✅ Strong Password Requirements:
  • Minimum 16 characters
  • Must include:
    • Uppercase letters
    • Lowercase letters
    • Numbers
    • Special symbols
Weak passwords make even strong encryption useless. Defending Against Evil Twin Attacks Evil Twin attacks rely on:
  • Fake access points
  • Social engineering
  • Tricking users into entering credentials
✅ The Only True Defense: User Awareness
Users must be trained to:
  • Never enter Wi-Fi passwords into websites
  • Always verify the network is encrypted
  • Be suspicious if suddenly disconnected and asked to log in again
Part 2: Secure Router Configuration Best Practices Accessing the Router Safely Routers are usually accessed via:
  • The first IP in the subnet (e.g., ending in .1)
If wireless access is disrupted:
  • Use a direct Ethernet cable to connect securely
Change Default Router Credentials Immediately After logging in:
  • Change the default administrator username
  • Change the default administrator password
Leaving defaults unchanged allows:
  • Full control takeover of the entire network
Correct Wireless Security Configuration Router security must be set to:
  • ✅ WPA or WPA2
  • ✅ AES/TKIP encryption
  • ❌ Never WEP
  • ❌ WPS must remain disabled
Using MAC Address Access Control MAC filtering adds an extra layer of defense, even if someone knows the Wi-Fi password. Two modes:
  • Whitelist (Allow List): Only approved devices can connect
  • Blacklist (Deny List): Specific devices are blocked
⚠️ Note:
MAC filtering is not sufficient alone, but useful as an added protection layer. Core Security Takeaway True wireless security is built on strong encryption, hardened router configuration, and educated users—not convenience features. Captive portals, WEP, WPS, and weak passwords all:
  • Collapse under real-world attack conditions
  • Create false confidence in network security


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CyberCode AcademyBy CyberCode Academy