Security in wireless cellular network
Download as PPT, PDF2 likes782 views
This document discusses security issues in wireless cellular networks. It covers 4 generations of cellular networks and outlines limitations of wireless networks compared to wired networks. Some key security issues addressed include authentication, integrity, confidentiality, and various types of attacks such as unauthorized access, eavesdropping, and man-in-the-middle attacks. The document also notes that 3G networks provide features to enhance security but that continued research is needed to address new issues and further improve security as cellular technologies advance.
Security in wireless cellular network
- 1. Security In Wireless Cellular Networks
- 2. Group Member M.Waqas 0050 Awais Mansoor 0064 M.Basharat 0121 M.Rizwan 0081
- 3. 1. Introduction Cellular Communication has become an important part of our daily life. Besides using cell phones for voice communication, we are now able to access the Internet, conduct monetary transactions, send text messages etc. using our cell phones, and new services continue to be added. However, the wireless medium has certain limitations over the wired medium such as open access, limited bandwidth and systems complexity. These limitations make it difficult although possible to provide security features such as authentication, integrity and confidentiality.
- 4. 2.Generations Of Cellular Networks 1G:-A term never widely used until 2G was available. This was the first generation of cell phone technology. Simple phone calls were all it was able to do. 2G:- the first digital cellular systems launched early 1990s, offering improved sound quality, better security and higher total capacity.
- 5. 3G:-3G is the next generation wireless cellular network whose aim is to provide a world wide standard and a common frequency band for mobile networking. 4G:-The speed and standards of this technology of wireless needs to be at least 100 Megabits per second and up to 1 Gigabit per second to pass as 4G. It also needs to share the network resources to support more simultaneous connections on the cell.
- 6. 3. Security Issues In Cellular Networks The infrastructure for Cellular Networks is massive, complex with multiple entities coordinating together, such as the IP Internet coordinating with the core network. And therefore it presents a challenge for the network to provide security at every possible communication path.
- 7. 3.1Limitations Of Cellular Networks Compared to Wired Networks, Wireless Cellular Networks have a lot of limitations. Open Wireless Access Medium: Since the communication is on the wireless channel, there is no physical barrier that can separate an attacker from the network. Limited Bandwidth: Although wireless bandwidth is increasing continuously, because of channel contention everyone has to share the medium. Limited Power: Wireless Systems consume a lot of power and therefore have a limited time battery life.
- 8. Limited Processing Power: The processors installed on the wireless devices are increasing in power, but still they are not powerful enough to carry out intensive processing. Relatively Unreliable Network Connection: The wireless medium is an unreliable medium with a high rate of errors compared to a wired network.
- 9. 3.2 Security Issues In Cellular Networks There are several security issues that are given below: Authentication: Cellular networks have a large number of subscribers, and each has to be authenticated to ensure the right people are using the network. Since the purpose of 3G is to enable people to communicate from anywhere in the world, the issue of cross region and cross provider authentication becomes an issue. Integrity: With services such as SMS, chat and file transfer it is important that the data arrives without any modifications.
- 10. Confidentiality: With the increased use of cellular phones in sensitive communication, there is a need for a secure channel in order to transmit information. Web Services: A Web Service is a component that provides functionality accessible through the web using the standard HTTP Protocol. This opens the cellular device to variety of security issues such as viruses, buffer overflows, denial of service attacks etc.
- 11. Downloaded Contents: Spyware or Adware might be downloaded causing security issues. Another problem is that of digital rights management. Users might download unauthorized copies of music, videos, wallpapers and games. Device Security: If a device is lost or stolen, it needs to be protected from unauthorized use so that potential sensitive information such as emails, documents, phone numbers etc. cannot be accessed.
- 12. 3.3 Types Of Attacks Unauthorized Access: If a proper method of authentication is not deployed then an attacker can gain free access to a network and then can use it for services that he might not be authorized for. Eavesdropping: If the traffic on the wireless link is not encrypted then an attacker can eavesdrop and intercept sensitive communication such as confidential calls, sensitive documents etc.
- 13. Message Forgery: If the communication channel is not secure, then an attacker can intercept messages in both directions and change the content without the users ever knowing. Man In The Middle Attack: An attacker can sit in between a cell phone and an access station and intercept messages in between them and change them.
- 14. Summary Cellular Networks are open to attacks such as DOS, channel jamming, message forgery etc. Therefore, it is necessary that security features are provided that prevent such attacks. The 3G security architecture provides features such as authentication, confidentiality, integrity etc. Also, the WAP protocol makes use of network security layers such as TLS/WTLS/SSL to provide a secure path for HTTP communication. Although 3G provides good security features, there are always new security issues that come up and researchers are actively pursuing new and improved solutions for these issues. People have also started looking ahead at how new features of the 4G network infrastructure will affect security and what measures can be taken to add new security features and also improve upon those that have been employed in 3G.