This article explores the security risks posed by rogue devices on wireless networks. It explores how unauthorized devices like access points and peripherals can compromise network security. It provides practical guidance on preventing, identifying, and isolating these threats through network access controls, monitoring tools, and segmentation.
Alexander S. Ricciardi
January 16, 2025
Wireless networks are everywhere and have infiltrated every aspect of daily life as they provide convenience and flexibility at home and work. However, their convenient and flexible nature comes with security risks, particularly through rogue devices. The Information Technology Laboratory (n.d.) defines rogue devices as “an unauthorized node on a network.” These devices can be smartphones, laptops, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, or any other device capable of connecting to a network (Nile, n.d.). Focusing on wireless networks, this post explores rogue device types, prevention, identification, and isolation; the post also provides an overview of wireless monitoring tools.
Wireless Types of Rogue Devices
In the context of wireless networks, rogue devices can range from wireless access points, laptops, and smartphones to software like network sniffers or compromised IoT devices. Here are some common types:
Table 1
Wireless Types of Rogue Devices
Note: Data from several sources (Gratas, 2024; Ciarlone, 2023; uCertify, 2019).
As shown in Table 1, rogue devices can be of various types, from unauthorized wireless access points to basic peripherals like modified wireless keyboards, with each type posing a unique set of security threats.
Preventing Identifying and Isolating Rogue Devises
With so many types of possible rogue devices, it is important for wireless network administrators to prevent, identify, and isolate them.
Preventing rogue devices can be done by disabling Service Set Identifier (SSID) broadcasts making the network less discoverable by wardriving scans (uCertify, 2019). Rogue devices can be also prevented by implementing network access controls “to ensure that only authorized devices and users can connect to your network” (Nile, n.d., p.1). This can be done by implementing Network Access Control (NAC) appliances and strong authentication methods, such as 802.1x with EAP-TLS (Extensible Authentication Protocol-Transport Layer Security) or PEAP (Protected Extensible Authentication Protocol). Other preventative measures are continuously monitoring the network for suspicious activity, identifying and categorizing devices on the network, and implementing a network segmentation policy such as dividing the network into smaller and isolated subnetworks, as well as implementing a guest Wi-Fi guest network for visitors and employees' personal devices.
Identifying and isolating rogue devices can be done by utilizing network scanning tools such as Nmap to scan for all devices connected to the network (Zamot, 2020). This allows a network administrator to identify unauthorized devices and isolate them. Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) can also help to identify rogue devices by monitoring traffic and detecting suspicious activities (Solarwinds, n.d. a). Additionally, wireless rogue access points can be detected using a tool such as Firebox which measures the strength and characteristics of an access point and compares it to a list of trusted access points (watchguard, n.d.). The table below provides an overview of several tools used to detect wireless network anomalies.
Table 2
Wireless Monitoring Tools
Note: Data from several sources (Reddy, 2023; MetricFire Blogger 2023; Sharma, 2023; NetSpot, n.d.; Goodman, 2018; Kismet Wireless, 2016, Netscout, n.d.; Solarwinds, n.d. b)
To summarize the convenience and flexibility provided by wireless networks come with security risks, primarily from the threat of rogue devices. These devices can be unauthorized access points or peripherals such as printers and keyboards. Preventing, identifying, and isolating these rogue devices is crucial for network security. These security vulnerabilities can be mitigated by implementing network access controls, using monitoring tools, and implementing measures like network segmentation and dedicated guest networks.
References:
Ciarlone, J. (2023, December 29). Spotting the most common wireless network vulnerabilities. Hummingbird Networks. https://services.hummingbirdnetworks.com/blog/most-common-wireless-network-vulnerabilities-to-watch-for
Goodman, D. (2018, November 18). Network Stumbler: A powerful broadband tool. Connected Nation. https://connectednation.org/press-releases/network-stumbler-a-powerful-broadband-tool
Gratas, B. (2024, September 9). Rogue device detection in 5 simple steps. Invgate Blog. https://blog.invgate.com/unauthorized-asset-detection
Information Technology Laboratory (n.d.). Rogue device. Glossary. NIST – U.S. Department of Commerce. https://csrc.nist.gov/glossary/term/rogue_device
Kismet Wireless (2016). Kismet. Kismet Documentation. https://www.kismetwireless.net/static/documentation.shtml
MetricFire Blogger (2023, October 12). 10 best tools for monitoring wireless access points. MetricFire. https://www.metricfire.com/blog/10-best-tools-for-monitoring-wireless-access-points/
Netscout (n.d.). AirMagnet Enterprise [PDF]. AirMagnet. https://assets.tequipment.net/assets/1/26/Documents/AirMagnet_Enterprise_Datasheet.pdf
NetSpot (n.d.). Your Wi-Fi planning and wireless site survey app [Video]. NetSpot. https://www.netspotapp.com/features.html
Nile (n.d.). What are rogue devices? How to detect and prevent them. Nile. https://nilesecure.com/network-security/what-are-rogue-devices-how-to-detect-and-prevent-them
Reddy, M. (2023, July 7). Unlocking the power of datadog: Understanding its key features. Nitor. https://www.nitorinfotech.com/blog/unlocking-the-power-of-datadog-understanding-its-key-features/
Sharma, A. A. (2023, July 4). PRTG Network Monitor: Why and how? DEVOPS DONE RIGHT. https://opstree.com/blog/2023/07/04/prtg-network-monitor-why-and-how/
Solarwinds (n.d. a). Detecting and preventing rogue devices [PDF]. Solarwinds Whitepaper. https://www.solarwinds.com/assets/solarwinds/swdcv2/licensed-products/user-device-tracker/resources/whitepaper/udt_wp_detect_prevent_rogue_devices.pdf
Solarwinds (n.d. b). Wi-Fi Network Analyzer. Solarwinds. https://www.solarwinds.com/network-performance-monitor/use-cases/wifi-analyzer
uCertify. (2019). 8.3 Securing wireless LANs. CompTIA Network+ Pearson N10-007 (Course & Labs) [Computer software]. uCertify LLC. ISBN: 9781616910327
Watchguard (n.d.) Rogue access point detection – Fireware Help. Watchguard. https://www.watchguard.com/help/docs/fireware/12/en-us/Content/en-US/wireless/wireless_rogue_ap_detection_c.html
Zamot, M. (2020, December 1). Finding rogue devices in your network using Nmap. Red Hat Blog. https://www.redhat.com/en/blog/finding-rogue-devices
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