Details
The Wi-Fi status in the menu bar indicates if the system’s wireless internet capabilities are enabled. If so, the system will scan for available wireless networks to connect to. At the time of this revision all computers Apple builds have wireless network capability, which has not always been the case. This control only pertains to systems that have a wireless NIC available. Operating systems running in a virtual environment may not score as expected either.
Rationale:
Enabling ‘Show Wi-Fi status in menu bar’ is a security awareness method that helps mitigate public area wireless exploits by making the user aware of their wireless connectivity status.
Impact:
The user of the system should have a quick check on their wireless network status available
Solution
Perform the following to implement the prescribed state:
Open System Preferences
Select Network
Check Show Wi-Fi status in menu bar
Alternatively run the following in the command line:
Open /System/Library/CoreServices/Menu/Extras/AirPort.menu/
Additional Information:
AirPort is Apple’s marketing name for its 802.11b, g, and n wireless interfaces.
Supportive Information
The following resource is also helpful.
This security hardening control applies to the following category of controls within NIST 800-53: Configuration Management.This control applies to the following type of system Unix.