Wired vs wireless: security

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Date:

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Quick Questions

Shade in the A or B circle for each question.

1. Which network type sends data only along a cable, so an outsider cannot pick it up from a distance?

A Wired network

B Wireless network

2. Why do wireless networks need extra protection?

A Signals travel through the air where others in range can try to pick them up

B Wireless signals only ever travel along a cable

3. A Wi-Fi signal from a house can reach the street outside. What is the security risk?

A The signal stops at the walls so no one outside can ever see it

B Someone outside the building might pick up the signal

4. To tap into a wired network, what does an attacker usually need?

A Just to stand within range of the building

B Physical access to the cable or a network port

5. Which is the best way to protect a Wi-Fi network?

A Use a strong password and encryption

B Leave it open so it is easy to join

Match the Pairs

Draw a line connecting each item on the left to its match on the right.

Left column		Right column
1WPA3 + strong password		Aaccess = "physical cable"
2cable.plugIn(port)		BA person needs physical access to connect to a wired network
3Wireless signals can reach outside the building, so people in range may try to pick them up		CsignalReach = "outside walls"
4Wired data stays in the cable, so an attacker usually needs physical access to the cable or a port		DAn open Wi-Fi network has no password or encryption, so anyone in range can connect or read the data. Set a strong password and use encryption.
5wifi.password = none # "Wi-Fi is safe without one"		EWired data stays inside the cable, so someone outside the building cannot pick it up from the air. They would need physical access to the cable or a port.
6wiredNetwork = "anyone outside can read the cable data"		FEncryption and a password protect wireless data so people in range cannot read it

Definitions

wireless security

Fill in the Blanks

Complete each line of code by filling in the missing parts.

IF network = "wireless" THEN USE password AND __________ END IF

IF network = "wireless" THEN _______ "Signal reaches outside the house" END IF

IF ________ = "none" THEN DISPLAY "Anyone in range can join" END IF

scrambled ← _______(message, key) readable ← decrypt(scrambled, key)

IF physicalAccess = "no" ____ wiredData ← "cannot be tapped" END IF

Spot the Error

Shade in the letter of the line that contains an error.

Question 1

A IF network = wireless THEN

B anyone in range can listen

C SET password ON

D SET encryption OFF

E END IF

Question 2

A IF network = wireless THEN

B data stays inside the cable

C need physical access to tap

Question 3

A network = wireless

B signal_leaves_building = TRUE

C risk_of_listening = NONE

Question 4

A IF has_access = TRUE THEN

B wired_data = SAFE

C ELSE

D wired_data = AT_RISK

Question 5

A SET wifi_name = HomeNet

B SET security = WPA3

C SET password = none

Answer Key

Wired vs wireless: security

Section A: Quick Questions

A — Wired network

A — Signals travel through the air where others in range can try to pick them up

B — Someone outside the building might pick up the signal

B — Physical access to the cable or a network port

A — Use a strong password and encryption

Section B: Match the Pairs

WPA3 + strong password → Encryption and a password protect wireless data so people in range cannot read it

cable.plugIn(port) → A person needs physical access to connect to a wired network

Wireless signals can reach outside the building, so people in range may try to pick them up → signalReach = "outside walls"

Wired data stays in the cable, so an attacker usually needs physical access to the cable or a port → access = "physical cable"

wifi.password = none # "Wi-Fi is safe without one" → An open Wi-Fi network has no password or encryption, so anyone in range can connect or read the data. Set a strong password and use encryption.

wiredNetwork = "anyone outside can read the cable data" → Wired data stays inside the cable, so someone outside the building cannot pick it up from the air. They would need physical access to the cable or a port.

Section C: Definitions

wireless security — Wired data stays in the cable, but wireless signals travel through the air where anyone in range can try to pick them up, so they need a password and encryption.

Section D: Fill in the Blanks

IF network = "wireless" THEN
  USE password AND encryption
END IF

IF network = "wireless" THEN
  DISPLAY "Signal reaches outside the house"
END IF

IF password = "none" THEN
  DISPLAY "Anyone in range can join"
END IF

scrambled ← encrypt(message, key)
readable ← decrypt(scrambled, key)

IF physicalAccess = "no" THEN
  wiredData ← "cannot be tapped"
END IF

Section E: Spot the Error

D — Wireless signals can be picked up by anyone in range, so encryption must be switched ON to scramble the data. It should be SET encryption ON.

A — Data staying inside the cable and needing physical access to tap it describes a wired network. Wireless signals travel through the air. It should be IF network = wired THEN.

C — Wireless signals pass through walls and reach outside the building, so the risk of someone listening in is high, not none. It should be risk_of_listening = HIGH.

A — Wired data is safe when a person has no physical access to the cable. The condition should be IF has_access = FALSE THEN.

C — A Wi-Fi network needs a strong password so strangers in range cannot join. Having no password leaves it open. It should be SET password = strong.