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Project Report Structure

This study conducts a comparative analysis of WiFi security protocols (WEP, WPA, WPA2, WPA3, and WPS), examining their vulnerabilities and real-world exploits. It highlights the critical importance of robust WiFi security in the face of persistent threats and offers recommendations for best practices to enhance network security. The findings underscore the need for proactive measures and the adoption of advanced protocols like WPA3 to mitigate risks associated with outdated systems.

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15 views5 pages

Project Report Structure

This study conducts a comparative analysis of WiFi security protocols (WEP, WPA, WPA2, WPA3, and WPS), examining their vulnerabilities and real-world exploits. It highlights the critical importance of robust WiFi security in the face of persistent threats and offers recommendations for best practices to enhance network security. The findings underscore the need for proactive measures and the adoption of advanced protocols like WPA3 to mitigate risks associated with outdated systems.

Uploaded by

maduka.asela
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Title

Comparative Study: WiFi Network Security Protocols and Their


Vulnerabilities

Abstract (300–400 words)

 Summarize the purpose, methodology, key findings, and implications


of the study.
 Highlight the importance of WiFi security in modern networks.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Literature Review
3. Overview of WiFi Security Protocols
4. Methodology
5. Comparative Analysis of Protocols
6. Vulnerabilities and Attack Vectors
7. Case Studies and Real-World Exploits
8. Mitigation Strategies and Best Practices
9. Future Directions in WiFi Security
10. Conclusion
11. References
12. Appendices

1. Introduction (1,200–1,500 words)

 Background:
o Evolution of wireless networks and the role of WiFi in modern
connectivity.
o Growing reliance on WiFi for IoT, enterprise systems, and
personal use.
 Problem Statement:
o Persistent vulnerabilities in WiFi protocols despite advancements.
o Risks posed by weak security (data breaches, unauthorized
access).
 Research Objectives:
o Compare security mechanisms in WEP, WPA, WPA2, WPA3, and
WPS.
o Analyze vulnerabilities and real-world attack scenarios.
o Recommend best practices for securing WiFi networks.
 Significance of the Study:
o Contribute to improving awareness and implementation of
secure protocols.

2. Literature Review (2,000–2,500 words)

 Historical Context:
o Early WiFi security (WEP) and its flaws.
o Transition to WPA/WPA2 and ongoing vulnerabilities (e.g., KRACK
attack).
o Emergence of WPA3 and its enhancements.
 Key Studies:
o Academic research on cryptographic weaknesses (e.g., RC4 in
WEP).
o Industry reports (e.g., NIST guidelines, Cisco security advisories).
 Gaps in Existing Research:
o Limited analysis of WPA3 in real-world deployments.
o Lack of comparative studies on protocol adoption challenges.

3. Overview of WiFi Security Protocols (2,500–3,000 words)

 Protocol Architecture:
o IEEE 802.11 standards and encryption frameworks.
 Protocols in Detail:
o WEP: Design, RC4 encryption, Initialization Vector (IV) flaws.
o WPA: TKIP, MIC, and PSK authentication.
o WPA2: AES-CCMP, 4-way handshake, enterprise vs. personal
modes.
o WPA3: SAE (Simultaneous Authentication of Equals), forward
secrecy, OWE.
o WPS: Design flaws and brute-force vulnerabilities.
 Adoption Trends:
o Enterprise vs. home network preferences.

4. Methodology (1,000–1,200 words)

 Research Design:
o Qualitative analysis of protocol specifications and vulnerabilities.
o Experimental setup for penetration testing (e.g., Aircrack-ng,
Wireshark).
 Tools and Techniques:
o Kali Linux tools for simulating attacks (e.g., deauthentication,
brute-force).
o Test environments: Virtual labs, Raspberry Pi-based access
points.
 Ethical Considerations:
o Authorization for penetration testing.
o Compliance with legal frameworks (e.g., GDPR, Computer Misuse
Act).

5. Comparative Analysis of Protocols (3,000–3,500 words)

 Security Features:
o Encryption strength (RC4 vs. AES vs. SAE).
o Authentication mechanisms (PSK vs. EAP vs. OWE).
 Performance Metrics:
o Latency, throughput, and compatibility with legacy devices.
 Vulnerability Assessment:
o WEP: IV collisions, weak key generation.
o WPA/WPA2: KRACK attacks, PSK brute-forcing.
o WPA3: Dragonblood vulnerabilities, implementation challenges.
 Tabular Comparison:
o Side-by-side evaluation of protocols (e.g., encryption,
authentication, known flaws).

6. Vulnerabilities and Attack Vectors (2,000–2,500 words)

 Common Exploits:
o Passive eavesdropping (packet sniffing).
o Active attacks (evil twin, deauthentication).
o Dictionary/brute-force attacks on PSK.
 Advanced Threats:
o KRACK (Key Reinstallation Attack).
o Side-channel attacks on WPA3’s Dragonfly handshake.
o Downgrade attacks forcing WPA2/WPA fallback.
 Impact Analysis:
o Data interception, unauthorized access, ransomware
propagation.

7. Case Studies and Real-World Exploits (1,500–2,000 words)


 Notable Breaches:
o TJX Companies breach (2007) due to WEP vulnerabilities.
o KRACK attack (2017) on WPA2 networks.
 Experimental Demonstrations:
o Cracking WEP/WPA-PSK keys using Hashcat or Aircrack-ng.
o Simulating evil twin attacks with Raspberry Pi.

8. Mitigation Strategies and Best Practices (1,500–2,000


words)

 Protocol-Specific Recommendations:
o Migrate to WPA3 with SAE for new deployments.
o Disable WPS and legacy protocols (WEP).
 General Practices:
o Strong passphrases, MAC filtering, and network segmentation.
o Regular firmware updates and intrusion detection systems (IDS).
 Enterprise Solutions:
o RADIUS servers, 802.1X authentication, VPNs.

9. Future Directions in WiFi Security (800–1,000 words)

 Emerging Technologies:
o Post-quantum cryptography for WiFi.
o AI-driven threat detection.
 Standardization Efforts:
o Wi-Fi Alliance’s roadmap for WPA4.
o Integration with 5G/6G security frameworks.

10. Conclusion (500–700 words)

 Recap key findings on protocol vulnerabilities.


 Emphasize the need for proactive security measures.
 Highlight contributions of the study to WiFi security research.

11. References (APA/MLA/IEEE Format)

 Include 80–100 credible sources:


o Academic papers (IEEE Xplore, Springer).
o Standards documents (Wi-Fi Alliance, NIST).
o Industry reports (Cisco, Symantec).

12. Appendices

 Appendix A: Technical specifications of protocols.


 Appendix B: Penetration testing scripts and configurations.
 Appendix C: Glossary of terms.

Writing Tips

 Use diagrams to explain protocol handshakes (e.g., 4-way handshake).


 Include screenshots of penetration testing tools and results.
 Use tables for comparative metrics (e.g., encryption strength, attack
resistance).
 Cite real-world examples to contextualize vulnerabilities.

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