DATA TRANSMISSION SECURITY ISSUES

DATA TRANSMISSION SECURITY ISSUES

1. Security issues

   • Eavesdropping
     • Data is vulnerable to eavesdropping when transmitting data over a network. If a user has access to the network, the data can be listened into. (Whether it be wired or wireless)
       • This is because when data is transmitted it is transmitted to all computers that is directly connected on the local area network. The computers that aren’t meant to receive the message will just ignore it. Malicious users can use tools to stop a computer from ignoring this data and actually access it.
   • Sniffing
     • Packet sniffers are legitimate programs used by network technicians to diagnose problems with a network. However, they can also be used to gain unauthorised access to data.
       • The packet sniffer will instruct your computer to inspect all data being transmitted over a network, which might be used to gain passwords or credit cards numbers that have been transmitted over the network.
         • As your device has a direct connection to the network, you can access the data. Disadvantage: with using a wireless network someone could covertly connect to the network.
           • Public WiFi connections vulnerable, as there is little knowledge and no restrictions on who is connecting to it. Personal area networks are susceptible if you are using Bluetooth.
             • Mobile broadband connections, like 4G, are not vulnerable to packet sniffing.
               • Side note: When doing sniffing over wired connections, your device will need to be connected to an access point with physical cables which is harder to do without someone noticing.
   • Spoofing
     • Your computer to pretends to be another computer. Every computer connected to the internet is identified by a specific number which means devices can provide access to services to computers that present that certain number.
       • By using fake credentials and presenting them to the network, they can fool the system into giving access to services meant for another device. This means an attacker can access private and confidential data or even alter or delete that data.