Adhoc Network

A Wireless network operating in ad-hoc mode (peer-to-peer networking) is usually not protected by the security rules when compared to enterprise deployed Wireless infrastructure networks using Access Points.

                                      

Ad-hoc Mode Networking ( Peer-to-Peer) Bypasses Enterprise Security Infrastructure

Peer-to-peer networking lacks the necessary security measures such as 802.1x user authentication and the dynamic key encryption. As a result, ad-hoc networks risk exposing data in the air (as data is not encrypted). In addition, weak authentication may allow unauthorized devices to associate. If the ad-hoc mode clients are also connected to the wired network, the entire enterprise wired network is at risk. An Ad-hoc mode client station should be investigated as a rogue because of the high risk imposed. An attacker may setup an ad-hoc network independently of a legitimate AP for the purpose of association and probing. This might be the case if your AP has been probed in conjunction with this event. Ad-hoc clients should be investigated thoroughly as rogue clients, and it is advisable that enterprises always stick to no-adhoc-networking policy as much as possible.

                             

Ad-hoc Nodes Connected To Wired Network Jeopardize Wired LAN Security

Limitations of ad-hoc mode WiFi wireless networking:
  1. WiFi devices in ad hoc mode offer minimal security against unwanted incoming connections. For example, ad-hoc WiFi devices cannot disable SSID broadcast like infrastructure mode devices can. Attackers generally will have little difficulty connecting to your ad-hoc device if they get within signal range.
     
  2. Signal strength indications accessible when connected in infrastructure mode will be unavailable to you in ad-hoc mode. Therefore, you will face some difficulty whenever re-positioning an ad-hoc device to achieve a better signal.
     
  3. The WiFi networking standards (including 802.11g) require only that ad-hoc mode communication supports 11 Mbps bandwidth. You should expect that WiFi devices supporting 54 Mbps or higher in infrastructure mode, will drop back to a maximum of 11 Mbps when changed to ad-hoc mode. Ad-hoc mode should generally be viewed as "slower" than infrastructure mode for this reason.