In today's interconnected world, where almost every aspect of our lives is driven by technology, the security of our networks is paramount.

WiFi penetration testing is a crucial process to identify and rectify potential vulnerabilities, ensuring a robust defence against malicious actors.

To help you conduct an effective WiFi penetration test, this blog provides you a comprehensive checklist.

WiFi Penetration Testing Checklist

Sr. No.	Checklist Item	Description
1.	Define Scope and Objectives	Clearly outline the goals and boundaries
2.	Obtain Authorization	Obtain explicit permission to test
3.	Gather Information	Collect essential info about the network|
4.	Wireless Site Survey	Map out the physical layout of the network
5.	Identify Targeted Devices	List all devices connected to the network
6.	Password Strength Assessment	Evaluate the strength of passwords
7.	Encryption Protocols Assessment	Assess and secure encryption protocols
8.	WIDS Testing	Evaluate the effectiveness of WIDS
9.	Access Point Security	Verify and secure access points
10.	Client Isolation Testing	Test and ensure client isolation
11.	Evade and Bypass Security Controls	Simulate real-world attack scenarios
12.	Document Findings	Maintain detailed documentation
13.	Report and Remediate	Prepare a comprehensive report
14.	Continuous Monitoring	Implement real-time threat monitoring

Define Scope and Objectives

• Clearly outline the scope of your penetration test, specifying the systems, devices, and networks to be assessed.
• Establish the objectives of the test, such as identifying weak passwords, unauthorized access points, or vulnerabilities in encryption protocols.
• Use tools like Nmap and Wireshark for network discovery and mapping.
• Nessus and OpenVAS can help in identifying potential vulnerabilities.

Obtain Authorization

• Ensure you have explicit permission to conduct the penetration test from the network owner or administrator.
• Legal compliance is vital to avoid legal consequences. It is mandatory to make sure you have written consent before initiating any testing and audit activity.

Gather Information

• Perform a technical survey to collect essential information about the target network, including SSIDs, IP addresses, and network topology.
• Identify potential entry points and determine the range of the WiFi signals to focus your testing efforts effectively.
• Tools like Airodump-ng and Kismet help in collecting information about SSIDs, MAC addresses, and network topology.
• Use Google's Dorking techniques for passive information gathering.

Extract the configuration using Linux Terminal of network interfaces:

ifconfig && iwconfig && airmon-ng

Wireless Site Survey

• Conduct a thorough wireless site survey to map out the physical layout of the network.
• Identify potential blind spots, signal leakage, and areas with weak signal strength, which could be exploited by attackers.
• Inssider and Ekahau HeatMapper can assist in performing a wireless site survey to map out the physical layout of the network.

Identify Targeted Devices

• List all devices connected to the WiFi network, including routers, access points, and connected devices.
• Understand the role of each device in the network to prioritize high-value targets during testing.
• Nmap and NetDiscover are effective tools for identifying devices connected to the WiFi network.

Password Strength Assessment

• Evaluate the strength of passwords for WiFi access and administrative accounts.
• Utilize tools like password crackers to test the resilience of passwords against brute force attacks.
• Hashcat and John the Ripper are powerful password-cracking tools to assess the strength of WiFi passwords.

Encryption Protocols Assessment

• Assess the encryption protocols used by the WiFi network, such as WPA3 or WPA2.
• Identify and mitigate vulnerabilities associated with encryption protocols to prevent unauthorized access.
• Wireshark can be used to analyze the encryption protocols used in the WiFi network.
• Tools like Wifite and Aircrack-ng can test the vulnerabilities associated with encryption protocols.

Wireless Intrusion Detection System (WIDS) Testing

• Evaluate the effectiveness of the WIDS in detecting and responding to unauthorized access or anomalous activities.
• Ensure the WIDS is configured to alert administrators promptly.
• Snort and Suricata are popular intrusion detection tools that can be used to test the effectiveness of WIDS.

Access Point Security

• Verify the security configurations of access points, such as disabling unnecessary services and securing management interfaces.
• Check for rogue access points that may serve as entry points for attackers.
• Use tools like Airgeddon and Fluxion to test and secure access points, including identifying rogue access points.

Client Isolation Testing

• Test the client isolation feature to prevent communication between connected devices.
• Ensure that each device is isolated to prevent lateral movement within the network.
• Tools like Wi-Fi Pineapple and Bettercap can be utilized to test and ensure client isolation.

Evade and Bypass Security Controls

• Attempt to bypass security controls, such as firewalls or intrusion prevention systems, to identify potential weaknesses.
• Mimic real-world attack scenarios to gauge the effectiveness of existing security measures.
• Metasploit and Burp Suite can be used to simulate real-world attack scenarios and evaluate the effectiveness of security controls.

Document Findings

• Maintain detailed documentation of all findings, including vulnerabilities, exploited weaknesses, and successful penetration attempts.
• Provide clear recommendations for mitigating identified risks and improving overall network security.
• Keep detailed documentation using tools like Dradis Framework or KeepNote, including vulnerabilities and exploited weaknesses.

Report and Remediate

• Prepare a comprehensive report summarizing the penetration testing process, findings, and recommendations.
• Collaborate with network administrators to prioritize and implement necessary remediation measures promptly.
• Collaborate with administrators using reporting tools like Faraday or OpenVAS.
• OWASP ZAP can help in identifying and prioritizing remediation measures.

Continuous Monitoring

• Implement real-time monitoring tools to detect and respond to emerging threats.
• Regularly reassess the network's security posture to adapt to evolving cyber threats.
• Implement continuous monitoring with tools like Snort and OSSEC.
• Regularly reassess using tools like Nexpose or Qualys to adapt to evolving cyber threats.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a thorough WiFi penetration testing checklist is essential to fortify networks against potential cyber threats.

By following these steps, organizations can proactively identify and address vulnerabilities, ensuring the security and integrity of their WiFi networks.