Man-in-The-Middle (MitM) Attack: Definition & Defenses
A Man-In-The-Middle (MITM) attack is a type of cybersecurity breach that occurs when a hacker intercepts communication between two systems, usually a user's device and a server or website. The attacker is then able to eavesdrop, capture, and manipulate the data that is being exchanged. This could involve stealing sensitive information such as login credentials, credit card numbers, or personal identity data. The attacker can also alter the communications, misleading the user or server, often without either party knowing that the attack has occurred.
What Is Wi-Fi Security? WEP, WPA, WPA2 & WPA3 Differences
Wi-Fi security refers to the protection of Wi-Fi networks and connected devices from unauthorized access, data breaches, hacking, and other potential cyber threats. It involves implementing security measures, such as encryption, authentication, and security protocols, to protect the data that is transmitted in a wireless network, its users / devices and the network infrastructure that it is connected to. Wi-Fi security protocols like Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA), WPA2, and WPA3 are designed to provide different levels of security. For instance, WEP is the oldest and least secure, while WPA3 is the latest and most secure protocol.
What Is Network Performance? What Are Its Top Metrics?
Network performance refers to the quality and effectiveness of a network system. It involves evaluating and reviewing the speed, connectivity, reliability, and efficiency of a network. Key indicators of network performance include bandwidth, latency, throughput, jitter, and error rate. High-performing networks reliably transmit high volumes of data quickly and securely, with minimal delays or errors, improving productivity and user experience.
What Is a Network Operations Center (NOC)?
A Network Operations Center (NOC) is a centralized location where IT network engineering and operations teams supervise, monitor, and maintain enterprise networks. It is a must have for many organizations who are consumers of traditional network architectures that are made up of multiple generations of products and services to support their enterprise IT infrastructure. NOCs are generally responsible for ensuring an organization's network runs smoothly, and they handle tasks such as managing network traffic, troubleshooting network issues, performing software updates, and preventing potential cyber-attacks.
Wi-Fi for University and College Campuses: How to Set It Up
A comprehensive Wi-Fi network on a college campus ensures seamless connectivity for students, staff, and guests. Here's a step-by-step guide to help institutions achieve an optimal wireless environment: Each step above can delve deeper into specific considerations and best practices. The aim is to offer all campus members a connected, secure, and efficient network experience.
What Is a Campus Area Network? Overview and Explanation
A campus area network links networks in a defined geographic space, like a college campus, corporate facility, or military base. A campus network exceeds the size of a local area network (LAN) yet it offers less coverage than both a metropolitan area network (MAN) and a wide area network (WAN). Campus networks are typically used to link various buildings within the organization, facilitating efficient communication, sharing of resources, and central management. The network Campus network includes multiple LANs and is often connected to the internet or other networks. These types of networks are generally owned and managed by the institution that owns the campus.
What Is Network Throughput? How to Measure and Improve It
Network throughput refers to the volume of digital data transferred between two points within a specified time period. Typically, it's quantified in bits per second (bps), as in megabits per second (Mbps) or gigabits per second (Gbps). Throughput is the actual rate at which data is successfully delivered over a network connection, and it provides a realistic measure of network performance. It is influenced by network speed, bandwidth, and latency. High throughput is desirable as a network can carry hefty amounts of data quickly and efficiently.
What Is a Wireless Sensor Network? How Does It Work?
A wireless sensor network is a group of autonomous sensors dispersed in space, observing physical conditions like temperature, sound, and pressure. Some are also capable of testing the performance of the wireless network infrastructure that they are connected to. These sensors cooperatively transmit data to a central location using embedded processors, radio transceivers, and batteries when not connected to power. Wireless sensors serve various purposes, including network connectivity performance analysis, system health monitoring, wildlife tracking, agriculture, industry, and military. Initially driven by military use like battlefield surveillance, they're now integral to civilian applications such as habitat monitoring, healthcare, home automation, and traffic control.
What Is a Wireless Intrusion Detection System (WIDS)?
A wireless intrusion detection system (WIDS) is a security solution specifically designed to detect anomalous activities, intrusion attempts, and vulnerabilities within a wireless network. It can identify possible attacks, unauthorized access, or misconfigurations in the network. WIDS accomplishes this by monitoring radio frequencies for specific packet patterns or behavior associated with malicious activities. It plays a crucial role in enforcing network security policies and protecting against threats such as rogue access points, identifying weak encryption methods, and weak or default passwords for pre-shared key authentication mechanisms.
What Is Network as a Service (NaaS)? How Does It Work?
Network as a Service (NaaS) is a business model that delivers network services remotely over the Internet. Instead of investing capital expense in their network infrastructure, businesses can purchase these services from a provider on a subscription basis or as and when required. NaaS is an innovative solution that offers networking services to businesses via shared responsibility of infrastructure design, deployment and management. Instead of investing in and managing a physical network infrastructure, companies can simply subscribe to a NaaS offering. These services are predominantly cloud-powered, ensuring accessibility and alleviating the need for businesses to handle the intricacies of their network infrastructure.