WPA Wireless Security
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) is a specification of standards-based, interoperable security enhancements that increase the level of data protection and access control for existing and future wireless LAN systems.The IEEE introduced the WEP as an optional security measure to secure 802.11 (Wi-Fi) WLANs, but inherent weaknesses in the standard soon became obvious. In response to this situation, the Wi-Fi Alliance announced a new security architecture that remedies the short comings of WEP. This standard, formerly known as Safe Secure Network (SSN), is designed to work with existing 802.11 products and offers forward compatibility with 802.11i, the new wireless security architecture being defined in the IEEE.WPA offers the following benefits:· Enhanced data privacy· Robust key management· Data origin authentication· Data integrity protectionStarting August of 2003, all new Wi-Fi certified products had to support WPA. NETGEAR has implemented WPA on its client and access point products. Existing Wi-Fi certified products had until August of 2004 to add WPA support or they would loose their Wi-Fi certification.While the new IEEE 802.11i standard is being ratified, wireless vendors have agreed on WPA as an interoperable interim standard.
NETGEAR, Inc. http://www.netgear.com |