Wireless Networks Flashcards by Jon Burns

What is a wireless network?

A network that uses radio frequency to extend wired networks, allowing data communication without physical cables.

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What are the key benefits of wireless networks?

Mobility
Flexibility
Roaming capabilities
Scalability

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What is an Ad Hoc wireless network?

A peer-to-peer network without an access point, used for temporary connections.

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What is an Infrastructure wireless network?

Uses a central WAP for organized, scalable communication—common in homes, offices, and public Wi-Fi.

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What is a Point-to-Point wireless network used for?

High-speed, long-distance links between fixed locations (e.g., building-to-building).

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What is a Mesh network?

A self-healing, redundant network where each node connects dynamically—ideal for campuses or disaster zones.

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What’s the difference between Autonomous and Lightweight Access Points?

Autonomous APs are individually configured
Lightweight APs are managed centrally (enterprise use)

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What is an Omnidirectional antenna used for?

Provides 360° coverage; used in homes, public spaces, and routers.

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What is a Unidirectional antenna used for?

Focuses in one direction; great for corridors or point-to-point links.

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What is a Yagi antenna best for?

Long-range directional communication, such as ISP towers.

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What is a Parabolic antenna used for?

Highly directional, used in satellite and microwave links.

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Why is antenna placement important?

It ensures optimal coverage and performance based on area and environment.

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What are the characteristics of the 2.4 GHz band?

Longer range, better penetration, but slower speed—supports legacy devices.

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What are the characteristics of the 5 GHz band?

Faster speeds with medium range and moderate penetration.

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What are the characteristics of the 6 GHz band?

Very high speeds, short range, and weak penetration—used in dense, modern networks.

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What does DFS do?

Dynamically avoids radar interference on certain bands.

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What does TPC do?

Manages power levels for wireless efficiency.

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What is Band Steering?

A technique to guide devices to the most appropriate frequency band.

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What is Channel Bonding?

Combines multiple channels to increase bandwidth; improves speed but may increase interference.

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What are the key specs of 802.11a?

5 GHz, 54 Mbps, ~35m range.

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What are the key specs of 802.11b?

2.4 GHz, 11 Mbps, ~140m range.

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What are the key specs of 802.11g?

2.4 GHz, 54 Mbps, ~140m range.

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What are the key specs of 802.11n?

Dual-band (2.4/5 GHz), up to 600 Mbps, ~70m; uses MIMO.

What are the key specs of 802.11ac?

5 GHz only, up to 6.9 Gbps, ~35m; supports MU-MIMO.

What are the key specs of 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6/6E)?

Tri-band (2.4/5/6 GHz), up to 9.6 Gbps, ~35m; best for dense networks.

What is the relationship between frequency and range?

Higher frequency = faster speed but shorter range.

What is WEP and why is it insecure?

Uses RC4 with weak IVs; easily cracked and obsolete.

What is WPA and why is it weak?

Uses TKIP and RC4; better than WEP but still vulnerable.

What is WPA2 and why is it secure?

Uses AES + CCMP encryption; strong and widely used.

What is WPA3 and what are its benefits?

Uses AES-GCM + SAE (Dragonfly); offers the best resistance to brute-force attacks.

What is PSK (Pre-Shared Key) used for?

Simple home/office wireless authentication—easy but not scalable.

What is 802.1X?

Enterprise-level authentication using RADIUS and per-user credentials.

What is WPS and what are its risks?

Wi-Fi Protected Setup; convenient but vulnerable to brute-force attacks. Disable it.

What SSID settings are recommended?

Use a unique name; disable broadcast if desired.

Which wireless security protocols should be used?

WPA2 or WPA3 with AES encryption.

What is wireless isolation?

A setting that separates traffic between connected devices.

What is the purpose of a guest network?

To isolate guest traffic from the main network.

Is MAC filtering recommended?

No—MAC addresses are easily spoofed.

When should remote management be enabled?

Only when absolutely necessary.

What should be done with WPS?

Disable it to prevent brute-force attacks.

What is the best practice for router setup access?

Use Ethernet and default IP (e.g., 192.168.1.1); configure non-overlapping 2.4 GHz channels (1, 6, 11).

What tools are used in WEP attacks?

* airodump-ng (capture) * aireplay-ng (inject) * aircrack-ng (crack key)

What are the steps in a WEP attack?

* Monitor * Fake auth * Inject ARPs * Capture IVs * Crack key * Verify

What is the key takeaway from WEP cracking?

WEP is extremely insecure and should never be used.

What should be done to protect networks today?

Always use WPA2 or WPA3 and scan for outdated protocols.

What is the purpose of a captive portal?

To restrict network access until the user logs in or accepts terms.

What are four common uses of captive portals?

* Access control * Legal compliance * Marketing data collection * Branding

How does a captive portal function?

Redirects users to a login page before granting full access.

What are best practices for captive portals?

* Ensure compatibility * Clear UI * Legal compliance (e.g., GDPR)

What are the four types of wireless networks?

* Ad hoc * Infrastructure * Point-to-Point * Mesh

What antennas are used for broad and long-range coverage?

* Omnidirectional for broad * Yagi/Parabolic for long-range directional

How do wireless bands compare in speed and range?

* 2.4 GHz = longer range, lower speed * 5 GHz = faster, shorter range * 6 GHz = fastest, shortest

Which wireless security protocol is the most secure?

WPA3.

What should always be disabled on a router for security?

WPS and, unless necessary, remote management.

Why is WEP still discussed if it’s insecure?

For historical and testing purposes—it's a cautionary example in penetration testing.

What’s the role of a captive portal in guest networks?

Manages access, displays branding, collects data, and ensures compliance.