The Secrets of Cybersecurity: Risks Associated with Hacked Corporate Wi-Fi

26/ 07/ 2021

Listen to online Stop   Corporate Wi-Fi hacking methods and potential risks. In the modern digitized business environment, the daily work of employees without regard to the place of their employment provides for using corporate Wi-Fi. Employees use Wi-Fi for communication purposes, searching for information, and sending files and private information. The value of information transmitted via corporate networks draws the attention of hackers who have a broad range of tools and methods in their portfolio to hack Wi-Fi networks. Hacked corporate networks have become a common situation in both developed and developing countries. To hack protected corporate Wi-Fi networks hackers need time and solid preparation. Generally, there are a few most widespread methods used by hackers to hack corporate networks and achieve their malicious objectives. Sniffing: interception of data transmitted between a Wi-Fi router and a device. After stealing the package of information, a hacker transfers it to his device and by carrying out a brute-force attack he tries to decode this information. There are many programs used by hackers to decode encrypted information. Generally, the attack on corporate Wi-Fi through sniffing may take between a few minutes and a few hours or even a few days depending on the protection of the files transmitted between a router and a device. Spoofing: one of the key features of modern devices such as mobile phones, pads, and laptops is the ability to remember Wi-Fi networks to which they connect. The connection is made automatically and often users do not even notice this process. Although this feature may seem to be attractive, it has also become a powerful weapon in the hands of hackers. To commit this method of corporate Wi-Fi hacking a hacker needs to establish a new Wi-Fi network with a stronger signal and the same SSID as the one belonging to the router used by the company. As a result, when employees’ devices connect to a fake Wi-Fi network, hackers can monitor all incoming and outcoming traffic. This type of attack is also referred to as DNS cache poisoning. According to this method, “modified” information about the network is used to redirect traffic to the point of destination specified by a hacker. Man-in-the-middle attack: hackers initially deauthorize the corporate network user from the valid access point and then make him connect to the fake access point. As a result, a hacker can intercept all data submitted and received by a victim. Fragmentation attack: for more efficient transmission of data in the network, a user may divide information into a few parts that are later combined by a receiver. However, using proven methods, hackers can force the data receiver to combine a few parts of data that do not belong to a single information package or even contain malicious software or code. Overall, to achieve their malicious goals hackers use tested through years methods, the number of which is increasing in line with the development of technologies. The more complex systems companies deploy to protect their Wi-Fi networks, the more advanced hacking methods are used by hackers. By hacking corporate Wi-Fi networks, hackers can access corporate information transmitted between employees’ devices and, as a result, there is a risk that commercial secrets may be disclosed. Also, by hacking Wi-Fi networks, hackers can track employees’ activities to develop effective strategies to commit phishing attacks. Besides, upon hacking corporate Wi-Fi networks, hackers can easily install malicious software to access corporate databases and employees’ accounts as well as get access to their web cameras and microphones to get information that is not circulating in the network. Generally, the companies that have experienced corporate Wi-Fi hacking become vulnerable to other types of attacks aimed at stealing financial assets and data. That is why the prevention of attacks on corporate Wi-Fi networks is the key task for the company’s internal cybersecurity specialists. How to protect corporate Wi-Fi networks?. In many cases, hacked Wi-Fi network is not only the result of the application of novel hacking methods by hackers but also the negligence by companies of basic security rules. The most effective way to address corporate Wi-Fi hacking risks is to take preventive measures. According to Hacken specialists, the most effective methods to protect corporate Wi-Fi networks against hacking are: The use of VPN services to encrypt DNS requests to prevent the theft of information that may be later used for malicious purposes such as to commit phishing attacks or redirect a user to malicious websites. The use of complex passwords that do not contain any easy-to-find information. The big mistake made by many companies is the creation of passwords that contain the company’s name and the date when it was established. Password should also be unique. Establish a separate network for guests. The higher number of users who use the same Wi-Fi network, the more room for hacking hackers get. By creating separate networks for guests companies can mitigate the risks associated with password disclosure. It’s one of the simplest but, at the same time, the most effective ways to protect corporate Wi-Fi networks. Disable remote administration function: this function allows users who are close to a router to modify its configuration. Thus, the higher number of users who can use this feature, the higher the security risks. Regularly update router protection software and enable the regular update function if disabled. Regularly check whether the devices connected to corporate Wi-Fi networks are secured enough since malicious actors can access corporate Wi-Fi networks through infected devices. Regularly check whether there are fake access points via special programs such as Vistumbler. Hide the name of the corporate Wi-Fi network (SSID). The company’s employees know its name while the individuals beyond the organization do not need this information. Limitations on the devices that can be connected to corporate Wi-Fi networks. Each device has its unique serial number (MAC-address) and in this way, companies can build a strong barrier against hackers. Overall, by following basic rules on the safe use of corporate W-Fi networks companies may avoid the risks related to possible Wi-Fi hacking and associated consequences such as data breaches.

Corporate Wi-Fi hacking methods and potential risks

In the modern digitized business environment, the daily work of employees without regard to the place of their employment provides for using corporate Wi-Fi. Employees use Wi-Fi for communication purposes, searching for information, and sending files and private information. The value of information transmitted via corporate networks draws the attention of hackers who have a broad range of tools and methods in their portfolio to hack Wi-Fi networks.

Hacked corporate networks have become a common situation in both developed and developing countries. To hack protected corporate Wi-Fi networks hackers need time and solid preparation. Generally, there are a few most widespread methods used by hackers to hack corporate networks and achieve their malicious objectives.

• Sniffing: interception of data transmitted between a Wi-Fi router and a device. After stealing the package of information, a hacker transfers it to his device and by carrying out a brute-force attack he tries to decode this information. There are many programs used by hackers to decode encrypted information. Generally, the attack on corporate Wi-Fi through sniffing may take between a few minutes and a few hours or even a few days depending on the protection of the files transmitted between a router and a device.
• Spoofing: one of the key features of modern devices such as mobile phones, pads, and laptops is the ability to remember Wi-Fi networks to which they connect. The connection is made automatically and often users do not even notice this process. Although this feature may seem to be attractive, it has also become a powerful weapon in the hands of hackers. To commit this method of corporate Wi-Fi hacking a hacker needs to establish a new Wi-Fi network with a stronger signal and the same SSID as the one belonging to the router used by the company. As a result, when employees’ devices connect to a fake Wi-Fi network, hackers can monitor all incoming and outcoming traffic. This type of attack is also referred to as DNS cache poisoning. According to this method, “modified” information about the network is used to redirect traffic to the point of destination specified by a hacker.
• Man-in-the-middle attack: hackers initially deauthorize the corporate network user from the valid access point and then make him connect to the fake access point. As a result, a hacker can intercept all data submitted and received by a victim.
• Fragmentation attack: for more efficient transmission of data in the network, a user may divide information into a few parts that are later combined by a receiver. However, using proven methods, hackers can force the data receiver to combine a few parts of data that do not belong to a single information package or even contain malicious software or code.

Overall, to achieve their malicious goals hackers use tested through years methods, the number of which is increasing in line with the development of technologies. The more complex systems companies deploy to protect their Wi-Fi networks, the more advanced hacking methods are used by hackers.

By hacking corporate Wi-Fi networks, hackers can access corporate information transmitted between employees’ devices and, as a result, there is a risk that commercial secrets may be disclosed. Also, by hacking Wi-Fi networks, hackers can track employees’ activities to develop effective strategies to commit phishing attacks.

Besides, upon hacking corporate Wi-Fi networks, hackers can easily install malicious software to access corporate databases and employees’ accounts as well as get access to their web cameras and microphones to get information that is not circulating in the network. Generally, the companies that have experienced corporate Wi-Fi hacking become vulnerable to other types of attacks aimed at stealing financial assets and data. That is why the prevention of attacks on corporate Wi-Fi networks is the key task for the company’s internal cybersecurity specialists.

How to protect corporate Wi-Fi networks?

In many cases, hacked Wi-Fi network is not only the result of the application of novel hacking methods by hackers but also the negligence by companies of basic security rules. The most effective way to address corporate Wi-Fi hacking risks is to take preventive measures.

According to Hacken specialists, the most effective methods to protect corporate Wi-Fi networks against hacking are:

• The use of VPN services to encrypt DNS requests to prevent the theft of information that may be later used for malicious purposes such as to commit phishing attacks or redirect a user to malicious websites.
• The use of complex passwords that do not contain any easy-to-find information. The big mistake made by many companies is the creation of passwords that contain the company’s name and the date when it was established. Password should also be unique.
• Establish a separate network for guests. The higher number of users who use the same Wi-Fi network, the more room for hacking hackers get. By creating separate networks for guests companies can mitigate the risks associated with password disclosure. It’s one of the simplest but, at the same time, the most effective ways to protect corporate Wi-Fi networks.
• Disable remote administration function: this function allows users who are close to a router to modify its configuration. Thus, the higher number of users who can use this feature, the higher the security risks.
• Regularly update router protection software and enable the regular update function if disabled.
• Regularly check whether the devices connected to corporate Wi-Fi networks are secured enough since malicious actors can access corporate Wi-Fi networks through infected devices.
• Regularly check whether there are fake access points via special programs such as Vistumbler.
• Hide the name of the corporate Wi-Fi network (SSID). The company’s employees know its name while the individuals beyond the organization do not need this information.
• Limitations on the devices that can be connected to corporate Wi-Fi networks. Each device has its unique serial number (MAC-address) and in this way, companies can build a strong barrier against hackers.

Overall, by following basic rules on the safe use of corporate W-Fi networks companies may avoid the risks related to possible Wi-Fi hacking and associated consequences such as data breaches.