Security differences in going online by WiFI vs by Ethernet lan cable

Question

Which relevant differences are there when comparing: going online with a computer via WiFI connection or using a Ethernet port and connect with Lan cable to the computer?

1) Aspects such as: VPNs, Firewall, Malware infections, general Internet Security - are all these aspects working the same way in both cases?

2) And when you are using multiple devices connected to the same WIFI network, these devices can potentially interact with each other ("shared network").

Could a device connected via Ethernet cable also fall into this shared network (if yes, how to prevent?)? Or would the Ethernet-connected device be isolated from all other WiFI-connected devices?

Thanks

Answer 1

You (We) need to understand our environment. "Hostile" environments (coffee shops, conferences) tend to be wireless but with unidentified risks that may exist.

In a business, wireless is more prevalent and largely safe because (broadly) business people are not hackers. This is true of the businesses I am associated with but may not be true for you.

In a residence (single family dwelling on a lot), wireless is normally safe. My residence is safe from potential hackers on the street. In an apartment complex, I would suggest wired connections to maintain safety. You do not know who is around in a dense surrounding like this.

Once in a Tunnel, traffic is safe whether wired or wireless input (and output at the other end). Inside the VPN tunnel is quite safe. Use the best type of VPN you can.

Firewall concepts and workstation security (Windows Defender) are pretty much the same, wired or wireless.

Multiple devices on the same shared network: wireless does present a larger risk than wired. I am assuming the area of sharing is small. But be aware if sharing is in a residence or in an apartment where you do not know what others are doing. The real key is (always has been) to be aware of your surroundings

If people are trying to access other devices (networking, file sharing), it does not really matter wired vs wireless.

Wireless here to stay and is expanding, so make sure wireless radios use secure transmission and that wireless devices can use the high security.

Answer 2

802.11 WiFi uses the Ethernet interface, so all the security issues of Ethernet apply, plus the possibility of the data over WiFi being intercepted by, and possibly altered and retransmitted by a hostile actor (a man in the middle attack), and the broken-so-many-times-it-isn't funny wireless "security".

I do encourage you to consider adding a VPN app with service from a paid VPN provider for added security. I did, for every wireless PC I have.

Answer 3

First of all: the „Language“ aka protocol the connected devices speak is the same in Wifi and wired networks. Therefor all transfer based security measurements (firewall, vpn, general internet security) are exactly the same.

And yes: devices connected to ethernet and others connected to wifi CAN be in the same network and talk to each other.

But of course you also can keep them separate and some (home) routers like the FritzBox have a „one switch“ setting to prevent wifi and wired from interacting.

BUT: wifi has a much broader attack range than wired networks. To tamper with a wired network you need to have physical access to one of the network ports to plug your cable in. Wifi networks are usually reachable even outside the house where they are broadcasted. So it is enough to just sit in a car next to a house to be able to break into the network.

And here are a lot of weaknesses in WiFi that an attacker can try to use.

Hacking is not always about stealing your data, but sometimes just for fun or to get free internet.

So securitywise wifi is much weaker than wired although there of course are counter measurements against most attacks.