Feb 15, 2011

What is the advantage of using WPA over WEP security?


What is the advantage of using WPA over WEP security?

Question:
What is the advantage of using WPA over WEP security?
Answer:
In WPA, the encryption key is changed after every frame using Temporary Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP). This protocol allows key changes to occur on a frame by frame basis and to be automatically synchronized between the access point and the wireless client rather than using a static key (using the same key on every frame) like WEP.
The result of this is that it is more difficult for a malicious party to gain unauthorised access to a secure network.
Starting with 802.11n (or Draft-11n), WEP is no longer supported; using WEP on devices that support Draft-11n will limit them to the lower speed of 54 Mbps.