802.11w
What is IEEE 802.11w?
IEEE 802.11w is an amendment to the Wi-Fi standard that enhances the security of management frames by providing management frame protection (MFP).
When was 802.11w introduced?
It was ratified in 2009 to address vulnerabilities related to unprotected management frames.
What are management frames?
Management frames are Wi-Fi protocol messages used to establish and maintain connections, including authentication, association, and disassociation frames.
Why do management frames need protection?
Without protection, attackers can spoof management frames to disrupt or hijack Wi-Fi connections (e.g., deauthentication attacks).
What kind of attacks does 802.11w prevent?
It helps prevent attacks such as deauthentication and disassociation frame spoofing, which can cause denial of service.
How does 802.11w protect management frames?
It encrypts and authenticates certain management frames using cryptographic techniques, making them tamper-resistant.
Is 802.11w mandatory?
While not mandatory for all devices, it is highly recommended and often required for enterprise-grade security.
Which management frames are protected under 802.11w?
Protection typically applies to disassociation, deauthentication, and robust action frames.
Does 802.11w replace WPA or WPA2?
No, it complements WPA/WPA2 by securing management frames, which were not protected under earlier standards.
Is 802.11w supported by all devices?
Support varies; modern Wi-Fi hardware and drivers generally support 802.11w, but some older devices may not.
Can 802.11w cause compatibility issues?
In some cases, yes. Older clients or devices not supporting 802.11w may experience connection problems if it is enforced.
Which OSI layer does 802.11w operate at?
It operates at the Data Link Layer (Layer 2), enhancing Wi-Fi frame security.
How does 802.11w relate to WPA3?
WPA3 mandates management frame protection, building upon 802.11w features for stronger security.
Does 802.11w protect all Wi-Fi frames?
No, it specifically targets management frames. Data frames are protected by WPA/WPA2 encryption.
Is 802.11w support enabled by default?
It depends on the device and firmware; many modern devices enable it by default or allow it to be configured.
How does 802.11w affect network performance?
The added encryption and authentication introduce minimal overhead, usually not noticeable in normal use.
Can 802.11w prevent all Wi-Fi attacks?
No security standard is foolproof, but 802.11w significantly reduces risks related to management frame attacks.
Is 802.11w relevant for home networks?
It is more critical in enterprise and public networks but can improve security in home Wi-Fi environments as well.
How can I check if my device supports 802.11w?
Check your device specifications, firmware documentation, or Wi-Fi adapter properties for management frame protection features.
Topics in this section,
In this section, you are going to learn
Terminology
Version Info
rfc details
setup
setup
mac features
Medium Access Functions and their inner working
Supported Frequency Bands in 802.11w
List of Physical Features
Power Saving Mechanisms in IEEE 802.11w
Interoperability Mechanisms in IEEE 802.11w
End-User Products that support 802.11w
Protocol Packet Details
Basic Features
Reference links