In an attempt to secure his 802.11b wireless network, Ulf decides to use a strategic antenna positioning. He places the antenna for the access points near the center of the building. For those access points near the outer edge of the building he uses semi-directional antennas that face towards the building’s center. There is a large parking lot and outlying filed surrounding the building that extends out half a mile around the building. Ulf figures that with this and his placement of antennas, his wireless network will be safe from attack.
Which of the following statements is true?
A.
With the 300 feet limit of a wireless signal, Ulf’s network is safe.
B.
Wireless signals can be detected from miles away, Ulf’s network is not safe.
C.
Ulf’s network will be safe but only of he doesn’t switch to 802.11a.
D.
Ulf’s network will not be safe until he also enables WEP.
The answer should be B. The question is speaking to his concern about protecting the wireless signal from leaking out too far from his building (which he should lower the strength of as a solution, in reality) so he is going through all of this stuff, concerned about placement of antennas, to stop signal leaking.
While you do need encryption too, the question is asking you “If he points antennas towards the middle of the building, that means wireless signals will ONLY go to the middle of the building, right?? And therefore it can’t be picked up from the parking lot, right?”. Knowing that wireless signals travel all around and not just where you point an antenna, ULF has failed! With a cantenna or highgain yagi, someone can still get your signal from a long distance.
totally agree