The thesis addresses cybersecurity at the physical layer of the OSI reference model, which forms the foundation for the operation of the entire communication infrastructure. It includes an explanation of cybersecurity, its purpose, and how it protects us from digital threats. The OSI reference model is thoroughly presented, describing the tasks of individual layers and their interactions. The physical layer of the OSI reference model is described in more detail, including its main functions and the technologies it utilizes for data transmission, the metrics used to describe the speed of data transfer over the medium, and the factors that make this layer particularly vulnerable to cyberattacks. The most common attacks on the physical layer are presented, first describing attacks on wired media, followed by wireless ones. Wireless attacks are further categorized according to specific technologies.
In the research part of the thesis, I dealt with various attacks previously described. I conducted two wired and two wireless experiments, focusing on signal jamming and signal theft of a car key in the wireless domain, and data interception over unsecured web protocols and DNS server abuse for redirecting users to a fake website in the wired domain. The work contributes to a better understanding of the basic concepts of cybersecurity at the physical layer of the OSI reference model. At the same time, it demonstrates how relatively affordable equipment can be used to carry out attacks and emphasizes the importance of secure and responsible use of these technologies.
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