Wireless network security is a very important factor for all kinds of businesses. In order to provide adequate wireless network security, you will need to opt for a wireless authentication method. Here are the popular wireless authentication methods:
Shared authentication with WEP
This authentication method is definitely the most popular and is used, especially in the consumer-class. Its operation is based on a security password to access the network, known as the security key or WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), which is the same for all users accessing the network. The WEP key is an alphanumeric password that can be set on the router. It can be of different lengths, such as 64, 128 and 256 bit. A longer key results in greater protection of data but a key which is very long (e.g. 256 bit) will result in slower connectivity and data exchange.
It should be added that the router and the wireless adapter used must be compatible with each other. If you have a router that supports the latest generation of WEP 256-bit security, it should also be supported by the adapter. The system of wireless authentication with WEP has been slowly declining and is gradually supplemented by the WPA.
Authentication with WPA
The method of wireless authentication with WPA (WiFi Protected Access) is an authentication method very similar to sharing with WEP key, which only offers a higher level of protection. It uses an algorithm for obfuscation and encryption of data, thus increasing the level of protection. Only recently, some hackers have managed to break it, nevertheless its security level is very high, and is used by businesses across the globe.
Shared authentication with WPA-PSK
As you can imagine this method of authentication over a wireless network is similar to the WPA, and the acronym WPA-PSK (WiFi Protected Access – Pre Shared Key) shows that a shared key is used for authentication, based on an ‘encryption algorithm’. This method is a sort of cross between the WEP and the WPA, and offers greater protection than WEP. These days, it has become the most preferred method of authentication and is used by a large number of people, both at home and at office.
Conclusion
The large and widespread use of Wireless necessarily requires some form of protection. No matter what sort of authentication you opt for, it is important that you provide at least one form of authentication or the other, to ensure the security of your wireless network.
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