Deauthentication Attacks Leave Wi-Fi Networks at Risk

A recent report from Nozomi Networks has revealed that the vast majority of Wi-Fi networks are highly vulnerable to deauthentication attacks, a common form of denial-of-service (DoS) attack. After analyzing telemetry from hundreds of operational technology (OT) and internet of things (IoT) environments, the study found that 94% of Wi-Fi networks lacked the necessary security measures to prevent these types of cyber intrusions. 

Deauthentication attacks exploit weaknesses in network protocols to force devices off a Wi-Fi network, causing disruptions that can pave the way for more severe cyber threats. Attackers manipulate a feature in the Wi-Fi protocol by sending fraudulent deauthentication frames, tricking devices into disconnecting. While the immediate impact may seem limited to temporary network interruptions, these attacks are often the first step in larger cyber operations, leading to data breaches and unauthorized access. 

One of the key findings of the report is that only 6% of wireless networks analyzed had management frame protection (MFP), a critical security feature that prevents attackers from spoofing network management frames. Without MFP, networks—including those supporting critical national infrastructure (CNI)—are left exposed to malicious actors.

The consequences of such vulnerabilities are particularly concerning in high-stakes industries. 

In healthcare, cybercriminals could exploit weak wireless security to access

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