Wi-Fi Protected Access for Windows

Improved security for Wi-Fi (802.11b) wireless networks is supported by a recently released update for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. The update supports the new Wi-Fi Protected Access protocol, which fixes flaws with the encryption protocol used in current Wi-Fi equipment without requiring new hardware. However, the update does not support all Wi-Fi adapters on the market, and users will still have to get firmware and driver updates from their hardware vendors to benefit from the new protocol.

WPA Provides Transitional Fix

Microsoft’s update enables Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 computers to use 802.11b network adapters with the Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) security protocol. Developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) and Wi-Fi Alliance, WPA fixes problems in the older Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) protocol supported by current Wi-Fi equipment. The WEP protocol provides encryption of wireless traffic to prevent eavesdropping and also provides a weak form of authorization intended to keep unauthorized parties from connecting to a given access point (AP). WEP attempts to accomplish both of these functions using a single secret encryption key shared by one or more users and an access point. (For this reason, WEP provides no user authentication, since multiple users typically know the same key.) Although generally better than no security at all, WEP keys can be easily cracked with readily available tools, thus completely compromising both security goals.