D-Link DWA-111 manual What is WPA?

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Section 4 - Security

What is WPA?

WPA, or Wi-Fi Protected Access, is a Wi-Fi standard that was designed to improve the security features of WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy).

The 2 major improvements over WEP:

Improved data encryption through the Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP). TKIP scrambles the keys using a hashing algorithm and, by adding an integrity-checking feature, ensures that the keys haven’t been tampered with. WPA2 is based on 802.11i and uses Advanced Encryption Standard instead of TKIP.

User authentication, which is generally missing in WEP, through the extensible authentication protocol (EAP). WEP regulates access to a wireless network based on a computer’s hardware-specific MAC address, which is relatively simple to be sniffed out and stolen. EAP is built on a more secure public-key encryption system to ensure that only authorized network users can access the network.

WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK uses a passphrase or key to authenticate your wireless connection. The key is an alpha-numeric password between 8 and 63 characters long. The password can include symbols (!?*&_) and spaces. This key must be the exact same key entered on your wireless router or access point.

WPA/WPA2 incorporates user authentication through the Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP). EAP is built on a more secure public key encryption system to ensure that only authorized network users can access the network.

D-Link DWA-111 User Manual

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Contents Page Table of Contents Package Contents System RequirementsIntroduction Features USB Port Hardware OverviewLink Light Getting Started InstallationRemove Existing Installations Disable Other Wireless Adapters Installation Wireless Installation Considerations Software Installation Click Install DriversInstallation D-Link configuration wizard will now appear Installation Configuration Link Configuration UtilityWireless Networks My Wireless Networks New Button Modify Delete ActiveAdd Profile Modify Profile Support About Windows XP Configuration Utility Choose a Wireless Network window click Change Advanced Disabling The Windows XP UtilityConfiguration Wireless Security What is WEP?What is WPA? Configure WEP Using the D-Link UtilitySelect WEP under Set Security Option Using the Windows XP Utility Security Configure WPA/WPA2 Passphrase Select WPA/WPA2 Passphrase under Set Security Option Using the Windows XP Utility Security Configure WPA/WPA2 Configure Select 802.1x under Set Security OptionTroubleshooting Right-click on D-Link DWA-111 USB Adapter Computer does not recognize the DWA-111 Wireless Adapter Troubleshooting Wireless Basics What is Wireless? Wireless Local Area Network WlanSmall Office and Home Office Wireless Personal Area Network WpanHome Centralize your router or Access Point Eliminate InterferenceWireless Modes SecurityNetworking Basics Check your IP addressStep Step Highlight Internet Protocol TCP/IP and click PropertiesTechnical Specifications SecurityHumidity