www.searchmobilecomputing.com   www.searchnetworking.com   www.searchsecurity.com

 

CoreCom writes monthly columns, presents webinars, and answers reader
questions for these TechTarget publications. 

Wireless Questions and Answers

As a site expert searchMobileComputing and searchNetworking,
Lisa Phifer answers questions submitted through these website forms:

• Wireless Networking Questions
• Expert Answer Center WLAN Questions

Mobile Technologies and Trends

Lisa Phifer writes a monthly column for searchMobileComputing:

• SearchMobileComputing Column Index
• Symbian: Protect your data, not just your device (May 21, 2008)
• New challenges in mobile device discovery (Apr 17, 2008)
• Mobile device security: Guarding the Gate (Mar 20, 2008)
• Effectively Protecting Your Mobile Devices (Feb, 2008)
• Mobile device security: Auditing the Airwaves (Feb 21, 2008)
• Avoiding breaches through mobile encryption (Dec 20, 2007)
• Improving mobile authentication (Dec 5, 2007)
• Mobilizing your workforce: Key questions tip [& podcast] (Oct 25, 2007)
• Ensuring mobile device compliance [& podcast] (Aug 16, 2007)
• Using 3G phones for laptop Internet access (Jul 26, 2007)
• Regulatory compliance: The impact of mobile devices  [& podcast] (Jun 21, 2007)
• Choosing your next mobile computing device (Apr 19, 2007)
• Mobile devices: Corporate security strategies (Feb 14, 2007)
• Location-based services for your mobile (Dec 22, 2006)
• Networking Calendar: VoIP on the go (Nov 27, 2006)
• Wireless options for PDAs/smartphones, Part 1 (Nov 15, 2006)
• Wireless adapters for PDAs/smartphones, Part 2 (Nov 15, 2006)
• Mobile VPN Roadtest: NetMotion (Sep 21, 2006)
• Mobile VPN: Closing the gap (Aug 16, 2006)
• Going 3G: Can you hear me now? (Jul 24, 2006)
• 3G wireless: The long and winding road (Jun 22, 2006)
• Trimming mobile telecomm costs with Skype (Jun 14, 2006)
• Wireless laptop evolution (Jan 19, 2006)

Wireless Advisor

Lisa Phifer also writes bi-monthly WLAN tips for searchNetworking:

• Ten steps to wireless LAN security (Apr 25, 2008)
• Upgrading to 802.11n: Key considerations (Apr 11, 2008)
• Top 5 tools for troubleshooting a WLAN (Jan 15, 2008)
• Understanding 802.11n wireless antennas (Jan 11, 2008)
• RF troubleshooting with spectrum analysis (Oct 11, 2007)
• WLAN connection troubleshooting (Sep 13, 2007)
• Defending Wi-Fi Clients (May 24, 2007)
• Wireless Internet access -- 3G vs. Wi-Fi (Apr 26, 2007)
• Stopping dropped connections (Nov 14, 2006)
• TechNote: Putting hotspot security to the test (Aug, 2006)
• Troubleshooting WLANs: A systematic approach (Jul 28, 2006)
• Five steps to stamp out unsafe Wi-Fi use (Jun 7, 2006)
• WLAN usage monitoring (Apr 20, 2006)
• Troubleshooting your Wi-Fi problem (Apr 13, 2006)
• Purchasing the right Wi-Fi client (Mar 23, 2006)
• Staying safe in Wi-Fi hot spots (Feb 16, 2006)
• Challenges posed by 802.11 wireless (Dec 14, 2005)
• Don't get bitten by Bluetooth (Nov 17, 2005)
• Chasing away your wireless blues (Nov 17, 2005)
• Show me the money: WLAN ROI (Oct 20, 2005)
• When quality counts: 802.11e, WMM, and beyond (Sep 14, 2005)
• B vs. G: Understanding mixed WLAN performance (Aug 17, 2005)
• Eliminating interference thru Wi-Fi spectrum analysis (Jul 21, 2005)
• Upgrading your WLAN to WPA2  (Jun 15 2005)
• Creating a Wireless Security Policy  (May 19, 2005)
• Managing Wi-Fi Stations  (Apr 19, 2005)
• Going The Distance With MIMO  (Mar 15, 2005)
• Understanding Wireless LAN Signal Strength  (Feb 16, 2005)
• Moving Freely Between Access Points  (Jan 19, 2005)
• Beyond Wireless Intrusion Detection  (Dec 16, 2004)
• Using WPA Without Enterprise AAA  (Nov 17, 2004)
• Locking Down Wireless Hotspots With 802.1X  (Oct 20, 2004)
• Spyware: Is Someone Watching You?  (Sep 16, 2004)
• WLAN Enhancements in XP SP2  (Aug 18, 2004)
• 802.11i: Robust and Ready To Go  (Jul 14, 2004)
• Using Virtual APs to Enable Coexistence  (Jun 16, 2004)
• Lisa Phifer's 2004 Predictions  (Dec 4, 2003)
• The buzz over VoWLAN  (Aug 8, 2003)
• Signs of WLAN intrusion  (Jul 21, 2003)
• On the horizon: News from 802.11-Planet (Jul 7, 2003)
• Consolidating control using WLAN switches  (Jun 23, 2003)
• Upgrading to Wi-Fi protected access  (Jun 6, 2003)
• Wireless Adapters for your PDA  (May 23, 2003)
• Securing teleworker wireless LANs  (Apr 8, 2003)
• Configuring service set identifiers  (Apr 21, 2003)
• Policy-driven WLAN Security  (Mar 26, 2003)
• Understanding wireless antennas  (Mar 8, 2003)
• Keeping Wireless Intruders Away (Feb 27, 2003)
• Migrating to 802.11g  (Feb 20, 2003)
• Choosing between 802.11a and 802.11b  (Feb 11, 2003)
• Keeping tabs on 802.1X  (Jan 6, 2003)
• Bolstering Wireless LAN Security  (Jul 25, 2002)

InfoSec Magazine Features

Lisa Phifer is a contributing editor for Information Security Magazine:

• Revamping Remote Access (Nov 2007)
• Emerging Technologies: Mobile Data Security (Jul 2007)
• Boxed In: Enterprise UTM (Mar 2007)
• Get A Grip: Mobile Device Security (Apr 2006)
• No Sweat: Turnkey Security Appliances (Aug 2004)
• VPNs: Tunnel Visions (Aug 2003)
• Air Safety: WLAN Security (Apr 2003)
• E-Mail Security (May 2001)

SearchSecurity Tips

• Closing the Windows Mobile loophole (Nov 20, 2007)
• Strategies for preventing laptop leaks (Aug 20, 2007)
• Fighting Spyware with UTM (Mar 27, 2007)
• Taking the bite out of Bluetooth (Oct 31, 2006)
• Understanding IPsec ID options (Jul 17, 2006)
• Policies for reducing mobile risk (Apr 25, 2006)
• Understanding protocols that power VoIP (Jan 29, 2006)
• Don't get bitten by Bluetooth (Nov 17, 2005)
• Beyond wireless intrusion detection (Jan 10, 2005)
• SSL VPNs and client authentication (Mar 31, 2004)
• Client security considerations for SSL VPNs (Mar 23, 2004)
• Factors to consider with a managed S2S VPN (Mar 31, 2004)
• Integrating RADIUS with an MSSP's RA VPN (Mar 31, 2004)
• IPsec selectors and their use in RA VPNs (Mar 31, 2004)
• 10 Common questions on WLAN security (Jun 30, 2003)
• Policy-driven WLAN security (Jun 26, 2003)

Workshop: Integrating Networking and Security

This Networking Security Workshop, developed by Lisa Phifer and David Piscitello,
takes an in-depth look at how the integration of security and networking teams,
products and processes are affecting enterprises.

• Series Outline
• Lesson 3: Network Access Control (NAC)
•     Webcast: Fitting NAC Into Your Corporate Network
•     Podcast: NAC Appliances -- Shortcut to Managing Network Access
•     Tip: NAC -- Strengthening your SSL VPN
• Lesson 5: Fabric Integration
•     Webcast: Baking Security into Network Infrastructure
•     Podcast: Embedded Network Security
•     Tip: Enhancing Security Assessments
• Lesson 6: Wireless LAN Security
•     Webcast: Tying wireless security into your wired LAN
•     Podcast: How wireless voice will impact wired network security
•     Tip: VLANs -- Controlling wired and wireless traffic

Wireless Lunchtime Learning Series

This series, developed by Lisa Phifer for SearchSecurity and SearchNetworking,
lets you develop an in-depth understanding of WLAN risks and countermeasures.
Each lesson consists of a short on-demand strategy webcast, followed by tactical
tips that explain how to apply that strategy.

• Series Outline
• Entrance Exam
• Lunchtime Series Introduction
• Lesson 1 Webcast: Risky business: Understanding Wi-Fi threats
•     Tip: Wireless attacks, A to Z
•     Tip: Wi-Fi vulnerability assessment checklist
•     Tip: Recipe for rogue hunting
•     Lesson One Quiz
• Lesson 2 Webcast: From the ground up: Creating a secure wireless infrastructure
•     Tip: Getting from here to there: WPA2 migration strategy
•     Tip: Using VLANs to compartmentalize WLAN traffic
•     Tip: The role of VPN in enterprise wireless
•     Tip: The ins and outs of AP placement
•     Lesson Two Quiz
• Lesson 3 Webcast: Who goes there?: Securing wireless access
•     Tip: Controlling WLAN access on a tight budget
•     Tip: Choosing the right flavor of 802.1X
•     Tip: Combining 802.1X and VLANs for WLAN authorization
•     Tip: Defeating Evil Twin attacks
•     Lesson Three Quiz
• Lesson 4 Webcast: I'll be watching you: Wireless IDS/IPS
•     Tip: Fighting wireless DoS attacks
•     Tip: To block or not to block: Rogue containment methods
•     Tip: Overlay vs. embedded WIDS sensors
•     Tip: Using your WIDS to monitor WLAN performance
•     Lesson Four Quiz
• Exit Exam

TechTarget Webcasts and Podcasts

On-demand webcasts and presentations delivered by
Lisa Phifer and Dave Piscitello include the following:

• Podcast: Wireless hotspot security (Mar, 2008)
• Webcast: Building High-Performance WLANs (Mar, 2008)
• Webcast: Remote Access with SSL VPN and NAC (Feb, 2008)
• Webcast: Evolving techniques for secure remote access (Nov, 2007)
• Podcast: Mobilizing your workforce: Key questions [& tip] (Oct, 2007)
• Webcast: NAC: Beyond endpoint security (Sep, 2007)
• Webcast: Laptop Lockdown – Encrypting Data (Aug, 2007)
• Workshop Lesson: Fabric Integration (Aug, 2007)
• Workshop Lesson: Securing the Branch Office (May, 2007)
• Webcast: UTM - The New Breed (Mar 28, 2007)
• Workshop Lesson: Wireless LAN Security (Mar, 2007)
• Workshop Lesson: Network Access Control (NAC) (Mar, 2007)
• Podcast: The Truth about Security and Mobile Access (Jan, 2007)
• Podcast: VPN FAQs for channel pros (Dec, 2007)
• Webcast: Top 5 Ways to Lock Down Your Mobile Devices (Oct 27, 2006)
• Podcast: Security Issues for Mobile Devices (Oct 27, 2006)
• Webcast: Guarding the Gate: VPN deployment strategies (Jul 13, 2006)
• Podcast: Road Ahead: Emerging VPN Trends (Jul 13, 2006)
• Webcast: Moving target: Locking down mobile devices (Apr 21, 2006)
• Wireless LAN Lunchtime Learning (Mar 28, 2006)
• Webcast: 10 Remote Access Tips in 10 Minutes (Feb 22, 2006)
• Commonly Overlooked Security Hazards (May 18, 2005)
• Foolproof Initiatives to Boost Your Network Security (May 18, 2005)
• Improve Productivity Safely: Securing Your WLAN  (Jan 2005)
• Security Strategies for Remote Workers  (Jan 2004)
• Deploying Wi-Fi Protected Access  (Nov 2003)
• Migrating to IP-based VPNs (Jul 2004)
• Securing Wireless PDAs (May 2003)
• Locking your WLAN: Part 2 - Countermeasures
• Quiz for Part 2 (Jun 2003)
• Locking your WLAN: Part 1 - Identifying Threats
• Quiz for Part 1 (Jun 2003)
• Making Sense of 802.11 Standards (Dec 2002)
• Troubleshooting IPsec VPNs (Oct 2002)
• Using VPNs to Secure Wireless Networks (Apr 2002)
• Understanding IPsec VPN Crypto (Mar 2002)
• Make Your WLAN Secure (Feb 2002)
• Secure Remote Access VPNs (Apr 2001)
• Securing VPNs with IPsec (Oct 2001)
• Deployment of RA VPNs (Dec 2001)
• Managed Security Outsourcing (Nov 2000)
• Network-Based VPNs (Dec 2000)
• Security and QoS for VPN (Nov 2000)

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Security Spotlight

Lisa Phifer's searchNetworking series on security appliances:

• E-Guide for Upgrading Your Network (Dec, 2007)
• Content Filtering Appliances (Jan 30, 2007)
• Mail Security Appliances (Dec 13, 2006)
• SSL VPN Appliances (Nov 15, 2006)
• NAC-in-a-Box Appliances (Nov 7, 2006)
• Network Behavior Analysis Appliances (Oct 23, 2006)
• Application Firewall Appliances (Sep 21, 2006)
• Identity Management Appliances (Jul 21, 2006)
• Wi-Fi Firewall Appliances (Jun 16, 2006)

Expert Answer Center WLAN Blog

A few WLAN blog posts written by Lisa Phifer for TechTarget:

• Hear ye! Hear ye! IEEE 802.11i gets ratified! (Jul 19, 2004)
• Finding 802.11 networks (Jul 20, 2004)
• Automating Spectrum Management: 802.11h  (Jul 21, 2004)
• Wireless hotspot security  (Jul 22, 2004)
• WLAN certifications  (Jul 23, 2004)
• Finding Wi-Fi hotspots  (Jul 26, 2004)
• Where Wireless LAN meets WAN  (Jul 27, 2004)
• Hi-Ho MIMO  (Jul 28, 2004)
• WLAN interference  (Jul 29, 2004)

Wireless-to-Go Product Reviews

An old product review series developed for searchNetworking:

• Wireless-to-Go Column Index.
• Belkin's Bluetooth USB adapter goes the distance  (Jun 22, 2004)
• Sygate Security Portal neutralizes public PC threats  (Apr 23, 2004)
• Segue: Integrated roaming from home to office to hot spot  (Mar 29, 2004)
• D-Link ships WPA in USB format  (Mar 3, 2004)
• Kensington WiFi Finder falls short  (Feb 19, 2004)
• Understanding the Wireless Landscape  (Jan 6, 2004)
• Get To Know Your a, b, g's: AirMagnet Trio  (Dec 23, 2003)
• Columbitech Wireless VPN enables Secure Mobility  (Dec 1, 2003)
• AppGate secures intranet access from PDAs, laptops  (Nov 17, 2003)
• Bluefire brings Pocket PCs under IT control  (Nov 3, 2003)
• Sprint CF2031 Adds 3G Wireless to PDAs, Laptops  (Oct 3, 2003)
• BlackBerry 6210 offers multifeatures, small footprint  (Sep 9, 2003)
• G at last: D-Link's AirPlus XtremeG  (Aug 18, 2003)
• Roaming intranet access over Wi-Fi: iPassConnect  (Jul 17, 2003)
• Internet tools for your Pocket PC: vxUtil  (Jun 30, 2003)
• Boingo's hotspot finder handy but wet behind ears  (Jun 19, 2003)

VPN Articles

We still write an occasional article on Virtual Private Networking as well:

• VPN FAQs for Channel Pros (Dec, 2007)
• Revamping Remote Access (Nov 2007)
• Closing the Windows Mobile loophole (Nov, 2007)
• 10 Remote Access Tips in 10 Minutes (Feb, 2006)
• VPNs: Tunnel Visions (Aug 2003)
• VPN Client Alternatives - Part 4: IPsec (Nov 29, 2002)
• VPN Client Alternatives - Part 3: L2TP (Oct 31, 2002)
• Debugging IPsec VPNs: Q&A (Oct 24, 2002)
• Cyberspace Policy Waiting Game (Sep 26, 2002)
• VPN Client Alternatives - Part 2: PPTP (Aug 26, 2002)
• VPN Client Alternatives - Part 1: Needs (Jul 30, 2002)
• Gateways for Secure Wireless Access (Jun 21, 2002)
• Using Secure Shell with Wireless PDAs (May 28, 2002)
• Securing PDA Network Access Over Cellular (Apr 5, 2002)
• Crypto for VPNs: Q & A (Mar 29, 2002)
• Securing PDA Access To WLANs (Feb 26, 2002)
• Securing PDA Enterprise Network Access (Jan 25, 2002)
• Troubleshooting IPsec VPN clients (Oct 2001)
• VPN: Virtually Anything (Apr 2001)
• Featured VPN Articles (Apr 2001)

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