Wireless Security Essentials: Defending Mobile Systems from Data Piracy [Paperback]

Russell Dean Vines (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471209368 | ISBN-13: 978-0471209362 | Publication Date: July 25, 2002 | Edition: 1

As wireless device usage increases worldwide, so does the potential for malicious code attacks. In this timely book, a leading national authority on wireless security describes security risks inherent in current wireless technologies and standards, and schools readers in proven security measures they can take to minimize the chance of attacks to their systems.
* Russell Dean Vines is the coauthor of the bestselling security certification title, The CISSP Prep Guide (0-471-41356-9)
* Book focuses on identifying and minimizing vulnerabilities by implementing proven security methodologies, and provides readers with a solid working knowledge of wireless technology and Internet-connected mobile devices

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Protect your wireless systems from attack with this clear-cut guide on how to implement proven security methodologies

Effective security is the most important element now missing from most wireless networks. Vulnerabilities in these networks leave them open to eavesdropping, session highjacking, data alteration and manipulation, and an overall lack of privacy. This comprehensive book clearly shows you how to identify these vulnerabilities and protect yourself against them by building security into the network infrastructure and connected devices. Drawing on the latest research in the field, Vines offers a thorough examination of the fundamental concepts of security and basic computing technology. He first provides you with the necessary background on wireless and cellular technologies, looking at the various ways in which they are implemented. You'll then learn about a wide range of security methodologies and find out how to apply them to the wireless world. Finally, you'll confront the security challenges with wireless systems and discover all of the options available to protect your information.

A complete guide to current wireless technologies and standards, security risks, and proven security solutions, Wireless Security Essentials explores:
* Wireless data networking technologies and the wireless application protocol
* Wireless standards and technologies
* Cryptographic technologies and PKI
* Threats to personal electronic devices like Palm Wireless Handhelds, PocketPCs, Internet-enabled cell phones, and BlackBerrys
* WAP security
* Security monitoring and testing
* Hardware and software solutions

About the Author

RUSSELL DEAN VINES is founder and President of The RDV Group Inc., a New York City-based security consulting services firm. His company is active in detecting, preventing, and solving security vulnerabilities for clients in government, finance, and new media organizations. Vines is also a frequent speaker on security issues and coauthor of the bestselling book The CISSP Prep Guide: Mastering the Ten Domains of Computer Security (Wiley).

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (July 25, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471209368
• ISBN-13: 978-0471209362
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,838,191 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good for professionals and the home user, August 5, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Wireless Security Essentials: Defending Mobile Systems from Data Piracy (Paperback)

I found that this book was informative in explaining the different wireless protocols out there. It also explained some of the weaknesses, which helped me not only to set up my own wireless lan at home, but make recommendations in my office towards a more private network!

I recommend this book for anyone who needs to know about security with today's devices.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good book, but doesnt have much about wireless security, August 27, 2002

By 

Ben Rothke "Author of 'Computer Security: 20 ... (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wireless Security Essentials: Defending Mobile Systems from Data Piracy (Paperback)

Writing a book on wireless security is like writing a book on safe skydiving - if you want the safety and security, just don't do it. Hard-wired (cabled) networks have been around for decades and they are still for the most part insecure. Wireless networking (focusing on 802.11), which has been around for only a few years, is clearly an insecure technology. With that, there is currently not a lot to write about when it comes to effective wireless security.

Wireless Security Essentials: Defending Mobile Systems from Data Piracy confirms that there is little to say on this topic because although it is 345 pages in length, only about 75 pages deal with wireless security. Of those 75 pages (pages 135 - 207), about 15 pages discuss vendor products.

The first 135 pages and 4 chapters of the book are an introduction to computer technology, networking, wireless security, and basic security issues. In addition to the 75 pages on wireless security, pages 209 - 345 are composed of a comprehensive glossary and 4 appendixes.

Only in chapter 5 does the book get into " wireless security". For the most part, people equate wireless with 802.11. Within 802.11, the security functionality is provided by WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), which provides the underlying security of 802.11. But an insurmountable problem is that WEP has been proven (see Breaking 802.11 Security at [URL]) to be seriously flawed, and is therefore insecure. Since the security foundation of 802.11 is basically nil, 802.11 networks as of this writing simply can't be adequately secured.

So why do companies deploy wireless networks given their inherent security risks? For the same reason they deploy Windows -- functionality. While Windows is for the most part an insecure operating system, its functionality is huge, and history has shown that functionality wins over security.

The functionality of wireless has even given birth to a new pastime of war chalking. War chalking is when an area of public access has been determined to have a wireless access point available, it is marked with chalk to let everyone know. For more information on war chalking, see [URL]

While the book does have valuable information, the fact that only 75 pages of it are specific to wireless security may not warrant its [price] purchase price. There are numerous free articles on the Internet that provide roughly the same amount of information and may be more cost effective to most readers. One place to start is The Unofficial 802.11 Security Web Page at [URL]/ and also 802.11 Security Beyond WEP at [URL].

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Useful when it counted., October 18, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Wireless Security Essentials: Defending Mobile Systems from Data Piracy (Paperback)

The title may lead you to believe that only wireless security is addressed but this book is a complete source of security information and reference material that is useful for any computer user.

It provides detailed information on security standards and policies. Both for the wireless and connected environments. There is also specific information for the products of major vendors.

The true test of whether or not a technical book is useful is whether or not you can apply the information provided to the real world. After finding an unknown machine attached to my wireless network one day I was glad I had this book handy. It proved an invaluable asset in locking down our system and accessing any damage.

highly recommended for anyone interested in security. Wireless or not.