Improving User Trust of Public Wireless Access Point using Wireless Devices Identification Information
Abstract
Public Wireless Access Point (AP) is a wireless access point accessible to the public. Connecting to the Internet through Public Wireless Access Point does not require users to authenticate (Open Authentication). There are also organizations using the authentication method for users to access their public AP. Passwords are shared or displayed at an easy-to-see place. Some organizations use open authentication, but users need to authenticate through the captive portal provided. There are many security threats faced by users when using Public Wireless Access Point. These security threats cause users to put a Public AP at a low level of trust. Identifying the Public AP identity that is used or connected to, may improve the user trust of the Public AP. This paper tries to explore the use of Netsh Commands for Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) in Windows Operating System to obtain complete information on the Wireless Access Points around the area. The Organizationally Unique Identifier (OUI) found on the MAC Address of the Access Point is compared to the latest list of OUI issued by Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) to identify Access Point manufacturer. Authentication methods and encryption techniques used by the AP can also improve the level of trust of users to the AP.