Better Wi-Fi Security for Windows

If you're a Wireless Windows XP user, you can now feel more secure about broadband Internet security when you are in public places. Microsoft officially announced the availability of a free software update that adds Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) protections and Wireless Provisioning Services Information Element (WPS IE) support to Windows XP Service Pack 2. With this response to the electronic attacks that crippled Windows PCs worldwide last year, Microsoft hopes to encourage the adoption of wireless access by those apprehensive about wifi security.

Windows XP fortifies the operating system's wireless networking security through the adoption of Wi-Fi Protected Access 2. WPA2 offers more advanced data encryption and conforms to government-mandated regulations for security.

The update also adds support for Wireless Provisioning Services Information Element, which enables ISPs to migrate to secure wifi hot spots. Specifically, WPS IE offers support for both secured and unsecured connections in a single network, easing migration. The update enables the following WPA2 features:

• Broadband data confidentiality, origin authentication, and integrity for wi-fi frames
• Optional pre-authentication
• Opportunistic PMK caching so that access is much faster when a wireless client roams back to a previously authenticated wi-fi access point
• WPA2 Enterprise using IEEE 802.1X authentication and WPA2 Personal using a pre-shared key (PSK)

New options appear in the operating system's wireless network configuration boxes. To enable the WPA2 access, users will select from the newly added WPA2 (for WPA2 Enterprise) and WPA2-PSK (for WPA2 Personal) choices in the Network Authentication drop-down under the Association tab.

With SP2, the software giant has significantly improved the user interface for broadband wireless networking, simplifying the tasks of browsing, configuring, and connecting to wifi networks. One nice touch is an option that lets you pick the wireless network you always want to connect to when you are within range of it.

Still, Service Pack 2 may not be a panacea for all of your broadband internet security problems because hackers are notoriously creative and Windows will continue to be their target of choice.  Nevertheless, this update does provide the sorely needed basics for better broadband internet security. However, keep in mind that just because you have this new security protocol on your laptop doesn't mean you can use it. To take advantage of it, the wireless accept point to which you are connecting must have it, too.