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FCC Approves the use of “White Space”, What is the Security Concern?

On September 23rd of 2010 the FCC approved the usage of “White Space” for wireless networking access.  White Space is the frequency that are between television broadcast channels and many of them became free when TV broadcasters switched from analog signals to digital signals.

Supporters of “White Space” plan to use it as a Mega Wi-Fi network that can range in miles as compared to current Wi-Fi system that ranges in feet.  In addition, the “White Space” Wi-Fi network would have the capability of transmitting data through walls and would be as fast as today’s broadband and DSL connections.

There is a security concern that should be examined.  Currently, many homes and businesses are not implementing the proper controls to protect current wireless networks.  Even today, with the limited range of the current wireless networking systems, individuals are finding open and unsecure access points on the regular.  Imagine if that were to span to miles, the number of open and unsecure wireless access point expand exponential in some locations.

Now usage of “White Space” has been approved, we will start seeing some early implementation in first quarter 2011.  Security professionals and security organizations need to speak with vendors so security measures are built in and are set at the time of purchase.  In addition, public service announcements to businesses and consumers will help with the awareness of the matter.

“White Space” and a Possible Security Concern

The FCC will be ruling on the usage of “White Space” for wireless networking access today (9/23/2010).  White Space is the frequencies that are between television broadcast channels and many of them became free when TV broadcasters switched from analog signals to digital signals.

Supporters of “White Space” plan to use it as a Mega Wi-Fi network that can range in miles as compared to current Wi-Fi system that ranges in feet.  In addition, the “White Space” Wi-Fi network would have the capability of transmitting data through walls and would be as fast as today’s broadband and DSL connections.

There is a security concern that should be examined.  Currently, many homes and businesses are not implementing the proper controls to protect current wireless networks.  Even today, with the limited range of the current wireless networking systems, individuals are finding open and unsecure access points on the regular.  Imagine if that were to span to miles, the number of open and unsecure wireless access point expand exponential in some locations.

If the ruling is approved today, we will start seeing some early implementation in first quarter 2011.  Security professionals and security organizations need to speak with vendors so security measures are built in and are set at the time of purchase.  In addition, public service announcements to businesses and consumers will help with the awareness of the matter.

FCC to make ruling on “White Space” usage.

We covered this topic with Alton Drew of The Alton Drew Group on The Tech Talk Show.  The discussion pertain to how "White Space" will aid in bridging the digital divide.  Of course there are security implications securityorb.com/ will cover on this topic.

Adam Carpenter of the Fort Worth Gadgets Examiner for examiner.com wrote an interesting article.

On September 23rd the FCC will vote on a new set of rules that will finally allow their planned “super WiFi” to become reality.

In 2009 the FCC voted to open up the vast amounts of “white space” frequencies that lie between television broadcast channels. The move was the first time since 1985 that the FCC has opened up a new set of unliscenced frequencies. The frequencies that were opened in 1985 are the very same ones that are currently used for current WiFi internet, many remote controls, baby monitors, cordless phones, etc. A vast amount of innovation began when the frequencies were opened then, and as FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said “We’re hoping history will repeat itself.”

You can find the rest of the article here.

Researcher Intercepts GSM Cell Phones During Defcon Demo

DEFCON18 — Las Vegas — A hardware hacking expert here at Defcon18 successfully faked several attendees’ cell phones into connecting to his phony GSM base station during a live demonstration that had initially raised concerns at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Read the full article – [Dark Reading]