NETWORK SECURITY SYSTEM, COMPUTER, ACCESS POINT RECOGNIZING METHOD, ACCESS POINT CHECKING METHOD, PROGRAM, STORAGE MEDIUM, AND WIRELESS LAN DEVICE

Abstract

In a network security system, clients search for neighbor access points (APs) in order to establish wireless connections to a LAN. As a result of the search, each of the clients dispatches a list of access points obtained to a controller. The controller detects non-registered access points by comparing a list of previously registered access points with the lists dispatched by the clients.

Description

Brief Summary of the Invention

[0008] To attain the above purpose, a network security system according to the present invention is characterized by including a client permitted to establish a wireless connection to a networkthrough an access point, and a controller permitted to receive data dispatched by the client, throughthe network, and in that the client scans electromagnetic waves within frequency bands permittedto be used for wireless communication, and dispatches to the controller identification informationon access points detected as a result of the scan, and in that the controller stores the identificationinformation on access points permitted to access the network, and on the basis of the identificationinformation on the permitted access points and the identification information dispatched by theclient, extracts non-registered access points that are not registered as permitted access points. This network security system can locate access points that are not registered by comparingpreviously permitted access points with access points detected by the client.

[0009] With this network security system, the client can dispatch to the controller the identification information on the access points not used for the wireless connection.

[0010] Further, the client can dispatch to the controller the intensities of signals received from theaccess points, and on the basis of the intensities, can estimate areas in which the non-registeredaccess points are installed.

[0011] Furthermore, the present invention can be implemented as a computer. This computer is permitted to communicate wirelessly with an access point connected to a network, and ischaracterized by including a recognizing section that recognizes identification information onaccess points on the basis of electromagnetic waves generated by the access points, a storagesection that stores the identification information recognized by the recognizing section, and adispatching section that dispatches through the network the identification information stored in thestorage section.

[0012] In this case, the dispatching section can dispatch identification information every predetermined time or in response to a request transmitted via the network.

[0013] Furthermore, a computer according to the present invention is permitted to transmit and receive data via a network to and from a client permitted to be wirelessly connected to thenetwork via an access point, and is characterized by including a storage section storing apermission list of permitted access points permitted to access the network, a collecting section thatcollects a recognition list of recognized access points recognized by the client scanningelectromagnetic waves within bands permitted to be used for wireless communication, and anextracting section that extracts those non-registered access points of the recognized access pointsincluded in the recognition list which are not included in the permission list on the basis of thepermission list and the recognition list.

[0014] This computer may further includes an installed position information storage section that stores installed position information on the permitted access points in the network, a signalcollecting section that collects the intensities of signals generated by the recognized access points,and a calculating section that calculates positions at which the non-registered access points areinstalled, on the basis of the intensities and the installed position information.

[0015] Moreover, the present invention may be implemented as an access point recognizing method. This access point recognizing method is executed by a computer permitted tocommunicate wirelessly with access points connected to a network, and is characterized byincluding the steps of scanning electromagnetic waves within bands permitted to be used forwireless communication, obtaining a list of access points detected by the scan, dispatching the listobtained, through the network, obtaining the intensities of signals generated by the access points,and dispatching the intensities through the network.

[0016] Further, The present invention may be implemented as an access point checking method. This is a method of checking an access point connected to a network in order to connect acomputer to the network by radio, and is characterized by including the steps of obtaining apermission list of access points permitted to access the network, obtaining a detection list ofaccess points recognized by the computer, comparing the permission list with the detection list torecognize those non-registered access points of the access points included in the detection listwhich are not included in the permission list, registering positions at which the access pointsincluded in the permission list are installed, obtaining the intensities of signals from the accesspoints detected by scan carried out by the computer, and calculating positions at which thenon-registered access points are installed, on the basis of the intensities.

[0017] Furthermore, the present invention may be implemented as a program executed by a computer. This program is executed by a computer permitted to communicate wirelessly withaccess points connected to a network, and is characterized by including a procedure of scanningelectromagnetic waves within bands permitted to be used for wireless communication, aprocedure of recording a list of access points detected by the scan, a procedure of dispatching thelist through the network, a procedure of obtaining the intensities of vibration occurring at theaccess points, and a procedure of dispatching the intensities through the network.

[0018] The present invention also provides a program for checking an access point connected to a network in order to connect a computer to the network by radio, the method being characterized byincluding a procedure of obtaining a permission list of access points permitted to access thenetwork, a procedure of obtaining a detection list of access points recognized by the computer, aprocedure of comparing the permission list with the detection list to recognize those non-registeredaccess points of the access points included in the detection list which are not included in thepermission list, a procedure of registering positions at which the access points included in thepermission list are installed, a procedure of obtaining the intensities of signals from the accesspoints detected by scan carried out by the computer, and a procedure of calculating positions atwhich the non-registered access points are installed, on the basis of the intensities.

[0019] The present invention may also provide a storage medium storing a program and a wireless LAN device that can be connected to a computer.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawings

[0020] Some of the purposes of the invention having been stated, others will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a LAN system according to thisembodiment;

[0022] Figure 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a client;

[0023] Figure 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a controller;

[0024] Figure 4 is a flow chart showing a flow of a process executed by the client;

[0025] Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating a scan and AP search process executed by an AP search section of the client;

[0026] Figure 6 is a flow chart illustrating a flow of a process executed by the controller; and

[0027] Figure 7A is a diagram showing an example of AP lists received from clients 10a to 10e, and

[0028] Figure 7B is a diagram showing an example of data on a collected AP list and amanagement AP list registered in an AP list registering section.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0029] While the present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown, it isto be understood at the outset of the description which follows that persons of skill in theappropriate arts may modify the invention here described while still achieving the favorableresults of the invention. Accordingly, the description which follows is to be understood as being abroad, teaching disclosure directed to persons of skill in the appropriate arts, and not as limitingupon the present invention.

[0030] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a LAN (Local Area Network) system (Network Security System) that uses wireless communication according to this embodiment. TheLAN system shown in Figure 1 comprises clients (computers) 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e (hereinaftersometimes simply referred to as 10a to 10e or 10a, ..., 10e) as users' terminals, a controller(computer) 20 as a terminal used by a system administrator, and access points (hereinafter referredto as "APs") AP#A, AP#B, AP#C, and AP#D (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as AP#Ato AP#D). The clients 10a to 10e can be connected to a network via the access points AP#A toAP#D. Further, the controller 20 is connected to the network by wire. However, the controller 20may also be connected to the network via the access points AP#A to AP#D.

[0031] Each of the clients 10a to 10e, shown in Figure 2, comprises an calculating section (recognizing section) 11 such as a CPU, a memory 12, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive, a storagesection) 13, an I/O section 14 that receives inputs from users and outputs data to the users, and atransmitting and receiving section (recognizing section) 15 that transmits and receives data to andfrom external equipment via the network. Furthermore, the transmitting and receiving section 15comprises an AP search section 16 having a function of searching for APs, an AP list dispatchingsection 17 having a function of dispatching an AP list obtained to a controller 20, and an antenna18. Further, the HDD 13 comprises an AP list storage section 19 to which the AP list obtained issaved.

[0032] Although not shown, the transmitting and receiving section 15 of each of the clients 10a to 10e comprises a power amplifier in communication with an antenna 18, an RF/IF convertersynthesizer, an I/Q modulator demodulator, a baseband processor, a media access controller thatcontrols transmission and reception of electromagnetic waves, or the like. These clients are LANcards or boards complying with, for example, the IEEE 802.11 standards and using, for example,an electromagnetic wave in a 2.4-GHz band, an electromagnetic wave in a 5-GHz band, orinfrared rays.

[0033] The controller 20, shown in Figure 3, comprises a calculating section 21 such as a CPU, a memory 22, an HDD 23, an I/O section 24 that receives inputs from users and outputs data to theusers, and a transmitting and receiving section 25 that transmits and receives data to and fromexternal equipment via the network. Furthermore, the calculating section 21 comprises an AP listcomparing section (extracting section) 26 having a function of comparing an AP list obtained witha registered AP list. Further, the HDD 23 comprises an AP list registering section (storagesection) 27 in which a list of APs permitted to connect to the network are. The transmitting andreceiving section 25 comprises an AP list receiving section (collecting section) 28 having afunction of receiving the AP list dispatched by each of the clients 10a to 10e.

[0034] The clients 10a to 10e and the controller 20 are users' computers, e.g. notebook type PCs (Personal Computers), desk top type PCs, or PDAs, and may have other members incorporated inthese computers. The clients 10a to 10e and the controller may be the same computer or differentcomputers.

[0035] Typically, to transmit and receive data to and from external equipment through a wireless LAN, the transmitting and receiving section 15 of each of the clients 10a to 10e periodicallyretrieves APs in order to reliably achieve data transmissions and receptions. In retrieving theAPs, the client 10a, ..., 10e first uses an electromagnetic wave of a predetermined frequency tocarry out scan to locate an AP with which it can establish communication. Then, after this AP andthe client 10a, ..., 10e have confirmed that they can transmit and receive data to and from eachother, they start transmitting or receiving data to or from each other. On the basis of information onthe retrieved APs, the LAN system according to this embodiment can detect that illegal APs arepresent within the network. Specific description will be given below of a method of detectingillegal APs.

[0036] Figure 4 shows a flow of a process executed by the clients 10a to 10e. This process is executed by the clients 10a to 10e carrying out a computer program installed in them. The clients10a to 10e execute the process on the basis of the same program. Accordingly, the client 10a willbe described by way of example.

[0037] First, an AP list (previously obtained by searching for APs) stored in the AP list storage section 19 of the HDD 13 is deleted (step S101). Subsequently, electromagnetic waves arescanned in order to search for APs to which the client can be connected, i.e. to search for andlocate APs that can allow electromagnetic waves to reach the client 10a (step S103). Here, an APscan and search operation will be described in detail.

[0038] Figure 5 is a flow chart showing a flow of a process executed for a scan and AP search operation by the AP search section 16 of the transmitting and receiving section 15. First, a channelnumber (hereinafter referred to as a "channel No.") for an electromagnetic wave is set to one (stepS111). During this setting, the client 10a determines whether or not a beacon has been able to bereceived via the antenna 18 (step S113). If the client 10a determines that no beacons have beenable to be received, it executes processing in step S117, described later. On the other hand, if theclient 10a determines that a beacon has been received, an SSID (Service Set Identification) as anID number identifying equipment with which the client is to communicate and the signal intensity ofthe beacon are added to the AP list in the AP list storage section 19 (step S115). For example, forthe client 10a, as shown in Figure 1, APs located near the client 10a, i.e. AP#A and AP#B arestored in the SP list storage section 19.

[0039] Subsequently, the channel No. for the electromagnetic wave to be scanned is increased (step S117). Then, it is determined whether or not the resulting channel No. is larger than themaximum channel No. that can be received by the transmitting and receiving section 15 (stepS119). If it is determined that the channel No. is not larger than the maximum channel No., theprocedure returns to step S113 to execute a similar process. On the other hand, if it is determinedthat the channel No. is larger than the maximum channel No., the scan and AP search process isended.

[0040] The AP list dispatching section 17 of the transmitting and receiving section 15 dispatches the AP list thus obtained to the controller 20 as shown in Figure 4 (step S105). Then, theprocedure waits for a predetermined standby time (t) to pass (step S107). Once the standbyoperation is completed, the procedure returns to step S101 to start the process.

[0041] In this manner, during the scan and AP search process, the clients 10a to 10e receive information on the channels of APs from which they can receive electromagnetic waves, i.e. APsthat it can recognize and on the intensities of signals from these APs. Then, each of the clients 10ato 10e obtains an AP list as shown in Figure 1.

[0042] Figure 6 is a flow chart useful in describing a flow of a process executed by the controller 20. In this case, the controller 20 executes the process on the basis of a computer programinstalled in the controller 20. First, the AP list receiving section 28 of the transmitting andreceiving section 25 receives AP lists transmitted by the clients 10a to 10e (step S201). Thereceived lists are temporarily stored in the memory 22. Then, it is determined whether or not thestandby time (t) has passed (step S203). The standby time (t) is used in order to receive AP lists,which are temporally randomly transmitted by any of the plurality of clients 10a to 10e, from asmany clients 10a to 10e as possible. The standby time (t) may be set to be, for example, one hour. At step S203, if it is determined that the standby time (t) has not passed, the processing in stepS203 is carried out again.

[0043] On the other hand, if it is determined at step S203 that the standby time (t) has passed, the AP list comparing section 26 compares a collected AP list as a collection of the received AP listswith the management AP list registered in the AP list registering section 27 of the HDD 23 (stepS205). The management AP list contains genuine access points permitted to access the network. The access points in the management AP list are already confirmed to match the access pointsconnected to the network. The management AP list is created, for example, by the systemadministrator. Further, the genuine access points may have been requested by the clients 10a to10e or the like to be authenticated and have then been authenticated by the system administrator.

[0044] Figure 7A shows an example of AP lists received from the clients 10a to 10e. Figure 7B shows an example of data in a collected AP list and a management AP list registered in the AP listregistering section 27. As shown in Figure 7A, data on APs actually connected to the network isobtained, as a collected AP list, from the AP lists collected from the clients 10a to 10e. Then, thecollected AP list is compared with the registered AP list to extract those APs in the collected APlists which are not registered in the registered AP list, i.e. illegal APs. In Figure 7B, the AP#C isextracted as a non-registered AP.

[0045] Subsequently, on the basis of a process of detecting illegal APs, it is determined whether or not there are any illegal APs (step S207). If it is determined that there are no illegal APs, theprocedure returns to step S201 to continue the process. If it is determined that there is an illegalAP, a warning is issued to the user of the controller 20 via the I/O section 24 (step S209). Subsequently, the procedure returns to step S201 to continue the process.

[0046] Here, the warning in step S209 may indicate the presence of an illegal AP and the estimated location of the illegal AP. For example, a diagram indicating the locations at whichregularly registered APs that can be connected to the network are installed is recorded in the HDD23 of the controller 20. Further, the AP lists received from the clients 10a to 10e contain theintensities of signals from the APs. This allows each of the clients 10a to 10e to determine howfar it is from the location at which each regular AP is installed and to determine the rough locationof the illegal AP on the basis of the intensity of a signal from the illegal AP recognized by theclient. By thus obtaining the warning and the positional information on the illegal AP via thecontroller 20, the illegal AP can be located on the basis of this information and then removed.

[0047] As described above, in this embodiment, the clients 10a to 10e connected to the wireless LAN network dispatches data on APs the can be recognized by the clients 10a to 10e. Then,illegal APs can be easily detected by comparing the APs contained in the list of the recognizedAPs with previously registered APs. In the conventional wireless LAN network, the clients 10a to10e perform search operations to recognize available APs, i.e. to recognize APs that can allowelectromagnetic waves to reach the clients 10a to 10e. However, the process is ended once APsto and from which the clients transmit and received data have been identified. Thus, in thisembodiment, illegal APs can be easily and reliably detected by collecting and utilizing informationobtained by the clients 10a to 10e.

[0048] Further, in this embodiment, the process of obtaining AP lists can be executed simply by installing a predetermined program in computers normally used as the clients 10a to 10e. Furthermore, illegal APs can be detected simply by installing a predetermined program in thecontroller 20 and registering regular APs in it. Therefore, with this embodiment, illegal APs canbe easily and inexpensively detected.

[0049] In the above embodiment, instead of the controller 20, any of the clients 10a to 10e may be provided with the functions of the controller 20. In this case, the program introduced into thecontroller 20 may be installed in any of the clients 10a to 10e. The regular AP lists registered inthe HDDs 13 of the clients 10a to 10e are stored so that the clients 10a to 10e can detect illegalAPs.

[0050] Further, in the above embodiment, the clients 10a to 10e automatically dispatches their AP lists to the controller 20. However, this embodiment is not limited to this aspect. For example,the controller 20 may obtain the AP lists by accessing the clients 10a to 10e to requests the listsfrom them. In this case, the AP lists detected by the clients 10a to 10e can be periodicallyobtained but may be arbitrarily obtained as desired by the system administrator, for example,twice or three times a day.

[0051] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the time interval that determines the timing with which the clients 10a to 10e obtain AP lists is the standby time (t). Further, the time interval thatdetermines the timing with which the controller 20 compares the AP lists received by the clients10a to 10e is the standby time (t). However, this embodiment is not limited to this aspect. Forexample, if the clients 10a to 10e are frequently moved, they frequently searches for APs to whichthey can connect more easily, i.e. the clients 10a to 10e frequently obtain AP lists. In contrast, theAP lists may not be frequently dispatched to the controller 20 but may be dispatched, for example,every several hours. Even if the AP lists are frequently dispatched, the number of times that illegalAPs are detected can be controlled by setting a longer standby time (t) for the controller 20.

[0052] Further, in this embodiment, detected illegal APs are located and removed. This embodiment is not limited to this aspect. For example, an illegal AP may be inhibited fromtransmitting or receiving data upon attempting to operate a router connected to it. Alternatively,only the warning indicating that an illegal AP is present may be issued, with the location of theillegal AP detected by equipment other than the controller 20.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the process is executed by the clients 10a to 10e and the controller 20 on the basis of the introduced program. However, this embodiment is not limited tothis aspect. For example, instead of introducing the program, wireless connection devices (PCcards or boards for a wireless LAN) connected to the clients 10a to 10e may be provided with afunction of periodically transmitting an AP list obtained to the controller 20. In this case, simplyby connecting the wireless communication devices to the clients 10a to 10e, the clients 10a to 10ecan detect illegal APs. Alternatively, the device connected to the network may be provided withthe functions of the controller 20.

[0054] The program used to execute the process shown in this embodiment can take the form of a storage medium or a program transmitting apparatus as shown below. That is, a program executedby a computer may be stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD, a memory, or ahard disk so as to be readable by the computer. Further, the program transmitting apparatus maycomprise storage means such as a CD-ROM, a DVD, a memory, a hard disk, which stores theabove program and transmitting means for reading the program from the storage means andtransmitting the program via a connector or a network such as the Internet or a LAN to an apparatuswhich executes this program.

[0055] In the drawings and specifications there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and, although specific terms are used, the description thus given uses terminology in ageneric and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

Apparatus comprising: 1. a client permitted to establish a wireless connection to a network through an access point; anda controller permitted to receive data dispatched by said client, through said network,wherein said client scans electromagnetic waves within bands permitted to be used for wireless communication, and dispatches to said controller identification information on access points detected as a result of the scan, andsaid controller stores said identification information on access points permitted to access said network, and on the basis of the identification information on the permitted access points and said identification information dispatched by said client, extracts non-registered access points that are not registered as permitted access points.

2. Apparatus according toClaim 1, wherein said client dispatches to said controller said identification information on said access points not used for said wireless connection.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said client dispatches to said controller the intensities of signals received from said access points and, on the basis of said intensities, said controller estimates areas in which said non-registered access points are installed.

A computer permitted to communicate wirelessly with an access point connected to a network, comprising: 4. a recognizing section that recognizes identification information on access points on the basis of electromagnetic waves generated by the access points;a storage section that stores said identification information recognized by said recognizing section; anda dispatching section that dispatches through said network said identification information stored in the storage section.

5. The computer according toclaim 4, wherein said dispatching section dispatches identification information every predetermined time or in response to a request transmitted via said network.

A computer permitted to transmit and receive data via a network to and from a client permitted to be wirelessly connected to the network via an access point, the computer being further comprising; 6. a storage section storing a permission list of permitted access points permitted to access said network;a collecting section that collects a recognition list of recognized access points recognized by said client scanning electromagnetic waves within bands permitted to be used for wireless communication; andan extracting section that extracts those non-registered access points of said recognized access points included in said recognition list which are not included in said permission list on the basis of the permission list and the recognition list.

The computer according toclaim 6, further comprising: 7. an installed position information storage section that stores installed position information on said permitted access points in said network;a signal collecting section that collects the intensities of signals generated by said recognized access points; anda calculating section that calculates positions at which said non-registered access points are installed, on the basis of said intensities and said installed position information.

An access point recognizing method executed by a computer permitted to communicate wirelessly with access points connected to a network, comprising the steps of: 8. scanning electromagnetic waves within bands permitted to be used for wireless communication;obtaining a list of access points detected by said scan; anddispatching said list obtained, through said network.

The access point recognizing method according toClaim 8, further comprising the steps of: 9. obtaining the intensities of signals generated by said access points; anddispatching said intensities through said network.

A method of checking an access point connected to a network in order to connect a computer to the network by radio, comprising the steps of: 10. obtaining a permission list of access points permitted to access said network;obtaining a detection list of access points recognized by said computer; andcomparing said permission list with said detection list to recognize those non-registered access points of said access points included in the detection list which are not included in the permission list.

The access point checking method according toClaim 10, further comprising the steps of: 11. registering positions at which said access points included in said permission list are installed;obtaining the intensities of signals from said access points detected by scan carried out by the computer; andcalculating positions at which said non-registered access points are installed, on the basis of said intensities.

A program executed by a computer permitted to communicate wirelessly with access points connected to a network, comprising: 12. a procedure of scanning electromagnetic waves within bands permitted to be used for wireless communication;a procedure of recording a list of access points detected by said scan; anda procedure of dispatching said list through said network.

The program executed by a computer according toClaim 12, further comprising: 13. a procedure of obtaining the intensities of vibration occurring at said access points; anda procedure of dispatching said intensities through said network.

A program for checking an access point connected to a network in order to connect a computer to the network by radio, comprising: 14. a procedure of obtaining a permission list of access points permitted to access said network;a procedure of obtaining a detection list of access points recognized by said computer; anda procedure of comparing said permission list with said detection list to recognize those non-registered access points of said access points included in the detection list which are not included in the permission list.

The program executed by a computer according to Claim 14, further comprising: 15. a procedure of registering positions at which said access points included in said permission list are installed;a procedure of obtaining the intensities of signals from said access points detected by scan carried out by the computer; anda procedure of calculating positions at which said non-registered access points are installed, on the basis of said intensities.

A storage medium storing a program executed by a computer permitted to communicate wirelessly with access points connected to a network, the storage medium being wherein the program can be read by the computer, and the program allows said computer to carry out: 16. a function of scanning electromagnetic waves within bands permitted to be used for wireless communication;a function of recording a list of access points detected by said scan; anda function of dispatching said list through said network.

A storage medium storing a program for checking an access point connected to a network in order to connect a computer to the network by wireless LAN wherein the program can be read by the computer, and the program allows said computer to carry out: 17. a function of obtaining a permission list of access points permitted to access said network;a function of obtaining a detection list of access points recognized by said computer; anda function of comparing said permission list with said detection list to recognize those non-registered access points of said access points included in the detection list which are not included in the permission list.

A wireless LAN device that can be installed into a computer to transmit and receive data to and from a network via a wireless LAN, comprising: 18. a scan section that carries out scan to search for an access point;an ID recording section that records the ID of said access point detected by said scan section; anda dispatching section that dispatches to said network said ID recorded in said recording section.