Netgear DG834GT User Manual download pdf (Page 168)

Reference Manual for the Model DG834GT 108 Mbps Super Wireless ADSL Router

D-16 Wireless Networking Basics

August 2004

Is WPA Perfect?

WPA is not without its vulnerabilities. Specifically, it is susceptible to denial of service (DoS)

attacks. If the access point receives two data packets that fail the message integrity code (MIC)

within 60 seconds of each other, then the network is under an active attack, and as a result, the

access point employs counter measures, which include disassociating each station using the access

point. This prevents an attacker from gleaning information about the encryption key and alerts

administrators, but it also causes users to lose network connectivity for 60 seconds. More than

anything else, this may just prove that no single security tactic is completely invulnerable. WPA is

a definite step forward in WLAN security over WEP and has to be thought of as a single part of an

end-to-end network security strategy.

Product Support for WPA

Starting in August, 2003, NETGEAR, Inc. wireless Wi-Fi certified products will support the WPA

standard. NETGEAR, Inc. wireless products that had their Wi-Fi certification approved before

August, 2003 will have one year to add WPA so as to maintain their Wi-Fi certification.

WPA requires software changes to the following:

• Wireless access points

• Wireless network adapters

• Wireless client programs

Supporting a Mixture of WPA and WEP Wireless Clients is Discouraged

To support the gradual transition of WEP-based wireless networks to WPA, a wireless AP can

support both WEP and WPA clients at the same time. During the association, the wireless AP

determines which clients use WEP and which clients use WPA. The disadvantage to supporting a

mixture of WEP and WPA clients is that the global encryption key is not dynamic. This is because

WEP-based clients cannot support it. All other benefits to the WPA clients, such as integrity, are

maintained.

However, a mixed mode supporting WPA and non-WPA clients would offer network security that

is no better than that obtained with a non-WPA network, and thus this mode of operation is

discouraged.

Changes to Wireless Access Points

Wireless access points must have their firmware updated to support the following:

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Netgear DG834GT User Manual Page 168