Information security in wireless networks

Today, there is a strong trend of people becoming more and more dependent on wireless information networks. The Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communications (MINTC) has considered this development worth of research by investigating the major information security threats concerning current and emerging wireless network technologies, and solutions managing the possible vulnerabilities. This study was done as part of the Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communications' Development Programme on Trust and Information Security in Electronic Services, LUOTI Programme. The study covers information security in essential wireless networks technologies, information security threats and solutions. WLAN, WiMAX, Bluetooth, 3G, RFID and Flash-OFDM were chosen as the key technologies. The most significant security threats concerning these technologies were identified and solutions to secure against these threats are given. Wireless networks share the common information security threats, however, some of them are more pronounced than others. From the service providers' point of view fraud and theft of services, malware, image problems and bad publicity relating information security incidents, and loss of privacy of the customers are main causes of worry. The end users are concerned with hijacking of connections or capturing of credentials, loss of integrity in the terminal, and eavesdropping. Additionally, wireless networks have additional traits - they are not protected nor bound by the natural physical access control of fixed networks, the malicious users and radio interference are weakly traceable, and tracing them often requires special hardware and surveillance.