Significant Security Risks of Wireless LAN Technology

C.

A rogue access point masquerades as a legitimate access point.

The risk is that legitimate users may connect through this access point and have their traffic monitored.

All other choices are not dependent on the use of a wireless local area network (LAN) technology.

Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) technology is a type of computer networking technology that uses radio waves to provide wireless high-speed internet and network connections to devices within a limited area such as an office, building, or campus.

While WLAN technology offers the convenience of untethered mobility and flexibility, it also poses several security risks that need to be addressed to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data transmitted over the network.

Out of the given options, the most significant security risks when using WLAN technology are as follows:

A. Man-in-the-middle attack: A man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack is a type of cyberattack where an attacker intercepts the communication between two devices and impersonates both parties to steal information or manipulate the data exchanged. In a WLAN environment, an attacker can use tools like Wireshark to sniff the traffic and steal sensitive information such as login credentials, credit card numbers, or other sensitive data transmitted over the network. MITM attacks can also be used to inject malware into the network or redirect users to malicious websites.

B. Spoofing of data packets: Data packet spoofing is a type of attack where an attacker creates fake data packets to impersonate a legitimate device or user and gain unauthorized access to the network. In a WLAN environment, an attacker can use tools like MAC spoofing to change the MAC address of their device to that of a trusted device on the network, allowing them to bypass authentication and gain access to sensitive data.

C. Rogue access point: A rogue access point is a wireless access point that is set up without authorization and can be used by an attacker to launch a variety of attacks such as eavesdropping, data interception, or network infiltration. In a WLAN environment, an attacker can set up a rogue access point that appears to be a legitimate access point, tricking users into connecting to it and stealing their sensitive data.

D. Session hijacking: Session hijacking is a type of attack where an attacker steals a user's session ID and takes over their active session to perform unauthorized actions. In a WLAN environment, an attacker can use tools like Firesheep to steal session cookies and hijack a user's active session, giving them access to sensitive data or allowing them to perform unauthorized actions on the user's behalf.

In conclusion, all of the given options pose a significant security risk when using WLAN technology, but the most significant risk would be a man-in-the-middle attack since it can be used to steal sensitive data, inject malware, and redirect users to malicious websites. To mitigate these risks, organizations should implement strong encryption protocols, use strong passwords, regularly monitor their network for rogue access points, and use tools like intrusion detection systems to detect and prevent attacks.