Despite recent advancements in Wi-Fi security, new vulnerabilities in how we receive data online, such as a Wi-Fi frag attack, are still being discovered.
However, what is surprising about Wi-Fi frag attacks is that it is actually very old. This issue has existed since the invention of Wi-Fi in 1997 but is only being discovered now.
In this article, we will explain what Wi-Fi frag attacks are, what they do, and how you can deal with them.
What Are Wi-Fi Frag Attacks?
A Wi-Fi frag (fragmentation and aggregation) attack tricks a network device into assuming that it is performing a secure action. It either:
- Captures traffic passing through unsecured networks, mimics it, and then impersonates servers or
- Opens the network by injecting plaintext frames that appear like handshake messages (a signal sent between two devices to communicate with one another).
Unfortunately, all Wi-Fi devices are vulnerable to frag attacks.
But the good news is that these attacks are challenging to carry out as the attackers must be within the network’s radio range and require users to take action.
2 Key Risk Factors of Wi-Fi Frag Attacks
Here are two main risk factors of Wi-Fi frag attacks:
1. Data Theft
A Wi-Fi frag attack steals data from a Wi-Fi network. Most websites that use HTTPS and other types of encryptions are protected against such attacks.
However, if you receive unencrypted data sent over an encrypted Wi-Fi connection, a frag attack can bypass the encryption, leading to data theft.
2. Attacks Against Vulnerable Devices
Smart devices manufactured by unknown brands may not offer the necessary security support and updates, which leaves them open to Wi-Fi frag attacks easily.
However, this does not mean that branded or expensive devices are safe from Wi-Fi frag attacks. Older devices without the latest security patches installed are also vulnerable to these attacks.
This is because as long as the smart device is connected to a Wi-Fi connection, a cybercriminal can easily enter your network to steal your data.
Read More: Key Aegis Features You’ll Need to Beat Ransomware
How to Protect Your Networks from Wi-Fi Frag Attacks
1. Stay Updated with Your Device’s Security Updates
Always ensure that your devices are running the most recent security updates. Most devices nowadays will automatically install the security updates themselves.
However, for some devices, such as routers, you may need to manually update them or click a button to begin the installation.
2. Update or Replace Obsolete Devices
When your operating system is so old (e.g., Windows 7) that it is no longer receiving security updates, it is better to invest in a new model.
The same goes for outdated devices such as routers or smart plugs that no longer receive upgrades from their manufacturers.
Most outdated devices will likely have security flaws and should be replaced with newer models.
3. Use Secure Encryption
Make sure you are on an HTTPS site every time you access a website.
Most browsers like Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox have transitioned to HTTPS, the secure version of HTTP, due to its encryption capabilities.
If you want to be safer, installing a browser extension can help. You can also set your internet browsers to warn you before accessing websites that are not encrypted.
Read More: Cloud Server: What’s the Best Way to Keep Your Data Safe?
Stay Safe from Wi-Fi Frag Attacks with Aegis
Wi-Fi frag attacks are new, and little is known about them. However, they exist, and it is best to implement effective security measures to protect your networks and endpoints.
At Aegis, we want our clients to be able to own a flexible and robust cloud disaster recovery at an affordable price.
Aegis 1Price-Any-Technologies (1PAT) is a data backup service in Malaysia that provisions all backup technologies at a fixed price.
We provide clients with the latest cloud data backup and replication software that will:
- Ease IT budget planning
- Relieve operations personnel from hours of repetitive data backups tasks
- Eliminates backup or DR technology refreshment or enhancement