CompTIA Security+ Question J-44

The security administrator has been tasked to update all the access points to provide a more secure connection. All access points currently use WPA TKIP for encryption. Which of the following would be configured to provide more secure connections?

A. WEP
B. WPA2 CCMP
C. Disable SSID broadcast and increase power levels
D. MAC filtering

Answer: B

Explanation:
CCMP makes use of 128-bit AES encryption with a 48-bit initialization vector. This initialization vector makes cracking a bit more difficult.

CompTIA Security+ Question I-48

A security architect wishes to implement a wireless network with connectivity to the company’s internal network. Before they inform all employees that this network is being put in place, the architect wants to roll it out to a small test segment. Which of the following allows for greater secrecy about this network during this initial phase of implementation?

A. Disabling SSID broadcasting
B. Implementing WPA2 – TKIP
C. Implementing WPA2 – CCMP
D. Filtering test workstations by MAC address

Answer: A

Explanation:
Network administrators may choose to disable SSID broadcast to hide their network from unauthorized personnel. However, the SSID is still needed to direct packets to and from the base station, so it’s a discoverable value using a wireless packet sniffer. Thus, the SSID should be disabled if the network isn’t for public use.

CompTIA Security+ Question I-45

Which of the following best practices makes a wireless network more difficult to find?

A. Implement MAC filtering
B. UseWPA2-PSK
C. Disable SSID broadcast
D. Power down unused WAPs

Answer: C

Explanation:
Network administrators may choose to disable SSID broadcast to hide their network from unauthorized personnel. However, the SSID is still needed to direct packets to and from the base station, so it’s a discoverable value using a wireless packet sniffer. Thus, the SSID should be disabled if the network isn’t for public use.

CompTIA Security+ Question I-8

Which of the following provides the HIGHEST level of confidentiality on a wireless network?

A. Disabling SSID broadcast
B. MAC filtering
C. WPA2
D. Packet switching

Answer: C

Explanation:
The Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) and Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) authentication protocols were designed to address the core, easy-to-crack problems of WEP.

CompTIA Security+ Question G-50

Which of the following implementation steps would be appropriate for a public wireless hot-spot?

A. Reduce power level
B. Disable SSID broadcast
C. Open system authentication
D. MAC filter

Answer: C

Explanation:
For a public wireless hot-spot, you want members of the public to be able to access the wireless network without having to provide them with a password. Therefore, Open System Authentication is the best solution.

Open System Authentication (OSA) is a process by which a computer can gain access to a wireless network that uses the Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) protocol. With OSA, a computer equipped with a wireless modem can access any WEP network and receive files that are not encrypted. For OSA to work, the service set identifier (SSID) of the computer should match the SSID of the wireless access point. The SSID is a sequence of characters that uniquely names a wireless local area network (WLAN). The process occurs in three steps. First, the computer sends a request for authentication to the access point. Then the access point generates an authentication code, usually at random, intended for use only during that session. Finally, the computer accepts the authentication code and becomes part of the network as long as the session continues and the computer remains within range of the original access point. If it is necessary to exchange encrypted data between a WEP network access point and a wireless-equipped computer, a stronger authentication process called Shared Key Authentication (SKA) is required.

CompTIA Security+ Question G-48

Which of the following can be implemented if a security administrator wants only certain devices connecting to the wireless network?

A. Disable SSID broadcast
B. Install a RADIUS server
C. Enable MAC filtering
D. Lowering power levels on the AP

Answer: C

Explanation:
MAC filtering is commonly used in wireless networks. In computer networking, MAC Filtering (or GUI filtering, or layer 2 address filtering) refers to a security access control method whereby the 48-bit address assigned to each network card is used to determine access to the network. MAC addresses are uniquely assigned to each card, so using MAC filtering on a network permits and denies network access to specific devices through the use of blacklists and whitelists. While the restriction of network access through the use of lists is straightforward, an individual person is not identified by a MAC address, rather a device only, so an authorized person will need to have a whitelist entry for each device that he or she would use to access the network.

CompTIA Security+ Question G-15

Ann, a security administrator, has concerns regarding her company’s wireless network. The network is open and available for visiting prospective clients in the conference room, but she notices that many more devices are connecting to the network than should be.
Which of the following would BEST alleviate Ann’s concerns with minimum disturbance of current functionality for clients?

A. Enable MAC filtering on the wireless access point.
B. Configure WPA2 encryption on the wireless access point.
C. Lower the antenna’s broadcasting power.
D. Disable SSID broadcasting.

Answer: C

Explanation:
Some access points include power level controls that allow you to reduce the amount of output provided if the signal is traveling too far.

CompTIA Security+ Question F-17

A security analyst has been tasked with securing a guest wireless network. They recommend the company use an authentication server but are told the funds are not available to set this up.
Which of the following BEST allows the analyst to restrict user access to approved devices?

A. Antenna placement
B. Power level adjustment
C. Disable SSID broadcasting
D. MAC filtering

Answer: D

Explanation:
A MAC filter is a list of authorized wireless client interface MAC addresses that is used by a WAP to block access to all unauthorized devices.

CompTIA Security+ Question E-62

A company provides secure wireless Internet access for visitors and vendors working onsite. Some of the vendors using older technology report that they are unable to access the wireless network after entering the correct network information. Which of the following is the MOST likely reason for this issue?

A. The SSID broadcast is disabled.
B. The company is using the wrong antenna type.
C. The MAC filtering is disabled on the access point.
D. The company is not using strong enough encryption.

Answer: A

Explanation:
When the SSID is broadcast, any device with an automatic detect and connect feature is able to see the network and can initiate a connection with it. The fact that they cannot access the network means that they are unable to see it.

CompTIA Security+ Question E-54

While previously recommended as a security measure, disabling SSID broadcast is not effective against most attackers because network SSIDs are:

A. no longer used to authenticate to most wireless networks.
B. contained in certain wireless packets in plaintext.
C. contained in all wireless broadcast packets by default.
D. no longer supported in 802.11 protocols.

Answer: B

Explanation:
The SSID is still required for directing packets to and from the base station, so it can be discovered using a wireless packet sniffer.