Shared Wireless Access Point Security in a Hybrid Star Topology using Primary Host Authentication: A Case Study of NAITES Wi-Fi

This research was designed to secure a wireless network hotspot in a star topology by granting access to third party clients if and only if authenticated by the network primary hub. The secondary node is modelled to tap from the primary hub, and in turn act as a hybrid hub to other nodes (the third party). The third party nodes will have to be authenticated by the primary hub even though their access point is at the hybrid hub. The rationale is to restrict unauthorized access and provide security to open and vulnerable extended wireless networks. The object oriented paradigm was adopted for the system design. Netbeans (java) and MySQL server were used for testing and implementing the system. The results showed that it is possible to protect wireless hotspot access points that extend services from being accessed by third party clients unless if authenticated by the primary server.