1.1 Introduction
Wireless communication according to Stallings (2017) refers to the transmission of data over a distance without the use of wires or cables, typically relying on electromagnetic waves such as radio frequencies, infrared, or satellite signals. CAPTCHA, which stands for Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart, is a widely used security tool that provides an additional layer of protection by distinguishing between human users and automated bots (Von Ahn et al., 2008). Wireless communication has revolutionized how information is transmitted and received in modern society, enabling users to communicate and access data from virtually any location. CAPTCHAs are designed to be easily solvable by humans but difficult for automated programs, making them ideal for preventing brute force attacks, spam, and denial-of-service attempts on wireless communication systems.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitation of the study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
The evolution of wireless communication dates back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the invention of radio by Guglielmo Marconi, who demonstrated the possibility of transmitting signals without wires (Hong & Mandayam, 2000). As decades passed, the advancement in wireless technologies led to the emergence of Wi-Fi, cellular networks, Bluetooth, and other forms of wireless data transmission, greatly expanding the functionality and accessibility of communication systems globally. in the early 2000s, wireless networking became increasingly mainstream, especially with the adoption of the IEEE 802.11 standards for Wi-Fi. However, the open nature of wireless communication presented critical security vulnerabilities, such as data interception, man-in-the-middle attacks, and unauthorized access to network resources (Stallings, 2017).
Wireless communication has become an integral component of modern information systems, enabling the seamless transmission of voice, video, and data across various platforms. As technology continues to advance, there has been an increasing reliance on wireless communication networks for both personal and professional use, particularly in mobile computing, online banking, healthcare systems, and smart infrastructure (Akyildiz et al., 2010). The convenience and flexibility offered by wireless networks, however, are counterbalanced by significant security challenges, most notably their susceptibility to unauthorized access, eavesdropping, and malicious attacks due to the open and shared nature of the wireless medium.
According to Zhang et al. (2019), with the expansion of wireless networks and the growing number of users accessing these platforms, there is a pressing need to develop robust security mechanisms that ensure data confidentiality, integrity, and user authentication. Although encryption and authentication protocols such as WPA2, WPA3, and VPNs are widely used, they are often targeted by sophisticated attackers employing automated scripts and bots to breach systems (Zhang et al., 2019). As such, traditional approaches are sometimes insufficient in guaranteeing complete security, particularly in scenarios where human validation is essential to thwart automated intrusions.
In response to these challenges, Von Ahn et al. (2008) stated that CAPTCHA (Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart) has emerged as a promising security measure. Developed to distinguish human users from automated programs, CAPTCHA presents users with tasks that are easy for humans to solve but difficult for machines (Von Ahn et al., 2008). Integrating CAPTCHA into wireless communication systems offers a new dimension to network security. By incorporating CAPTCHA at authentication points such as access gateways or login portals users are required to verify their human identity before proceeding, thereby significantly reducing the chances of automated attacks. This project is motivated by the growing need to protect wireless networks from automated security threats while maintaining user accessibility and system performance.
1.3 Statement of Problem
Following the investigation, it was revealed that the traditional system implemented struggles with various challenges, several of which stand out as particularly critical:
- Most existing systems rely solely on password-based authentication or MAC address filtering, which are easily bypassed by automated scripts and malicious bots.
- The traditional system has static authentication, once users are connected to the network, they often remain connected indefinitely without the need for re-authentication.
- The old system do not actively verify if the access request is coming from a real human or an automated entity.
- Accessibility and inclusiveness are often not considered in the design of traditional wireless authentication portals.
- Finally, CAPTCHA often fails to provide sufficient support for tracking access logs, making it difficult for network administrators to identify misuse or enforce security policies in real-time.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of the Study
The aim of this study is to design and develop a secure wireless communication system that integrates CAPTCHA technology to enhance authentication and protect against automated attacks, ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and real-time access control. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To design a wireless communication architecture that incorporates CAPTCHA as a security feature.
- To implement a system that verifies user authenticity using CAPTCHA before granting access to the wireless network.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of CAPTCHA in preventing unauthorized or automated access in wireless communication.
- To analyze the system's performance in terms of speed, security, and user experience.
- To provide a cost-effective and scalable solution suitable for various wireless communication environments.
1.5 Significance of Study
The deployment of the proposed system will hold significant relevance in the following ways.
- The study will enhance wireless network security by incorporating human verification mechanisms.
- It will also provide a framework for integrating CAPTCHA into existing wireless authentication systems.
- The research will support the development of more robust, bot-resistant access control methods.
- It will contribute to the body of knowledge on hybrid security models for wireless communication.
- The outcome will inform software developers, cybersecurity experts, and network administrators on practical applications of CAPTCHA beyond web-based platforms.
1.6 Scope of Study
This study is limited to the design, implementation, and testing of a secure wireless communication system using CAPTCHA within Lagos State, with practical evaluation conducted in a controlled network environment at MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, Lagos office. The study focuses on network access control and does not extend to broader internet traffic encryption or infrastructure deployment.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
The study was limited by challenges in accessing proprietary network configuration data, which restricted the depth of system integration testing. It was also hindered by resource constraints, limiting the number of environments in which the prototype could be deployed.
Furthermore, financial and time constraints also restricted the scope of system implementation and limited the number of test iterations and user feedback sessions.
1.8 Definition of Terms
Wireless Communication: This refers to the transfer of data over distances without physical connectors, typically using radio waves or infrared signals (Stallings, 2017). In this study, it describes the data transmission between a client device and a wireless access point.
CAPTCHA: An acronym for Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart, CAPTCHA is a challenge-response system used to verify that a user is human, not an automated program (Von Ahn et al., 2008).
Authentication: Authentication is the process of confirming a user’s identity before granting access to a system or network (Zhang et al., 2019). This study explores CAPTCHA as an added layer of user authentication.
Bot: A bot is an automated program designed to perform tasks on a network or website, often maliciously (El Ahmad et al., 2012). In wireless networks, bots are used to carry out brute-force and denial-of-service attacks.
Network Security: Network security is the practice of preventing and protecting against unauthorized intrusion into corporate or private computer networks (Sicari et al., 2015). This study focuses on strengthening network security in wireless systems using CAPTCHA.
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