The security implications of a wireless network compared to a wired network are often exaggerated. The biggest difference is the mechanism and proximity of the attack. With wired networks, a hacker must gain physical proximity to a target to make direct contact with it. Once connected to the wired network, the hacker can attempt various attack and exploits.

With wireless networks, the hacker does not have to be physically close. Hackers can attempt network breaches from a mile or more away from the access point (FIGURE 2-5). In most real-world situations, however, the range is often under 1,000 feet with a small, but powerful, directional antenna.

In either case, wired or wireless, the hacker must first obtain a network connection with the target network to attack if the hacker’s goal is to gain access to user accounts or data stored on the network. If the hacker is mainly interested in destruction and DoS, then logical network access is not necessary.