UpdatedMarch 26, 2020

Overview of Wireless Security Authentication in SonicOS Enhanced

Description

Feature/Application: Overview of Authenticationin Wireless Security

Wireless Security:

Wired Equivalent Protocol (WEP):

Can be used to protect data as it is transmitted over the wireless network.
It provides no protection.
It is designed to provide a minimal level of protection for transmitted data and is not recommended for network deployments requiring a high degree of security.

Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA and WPA2):

Provides much greater security than WEP
Requires a separate authentication protocol such as RADIUS (used to authenticate all users).
WPA uses a dynamic key that constantly changes, as opposed to the static key that WEP uses.

Authentication Overview:

Below is a list of available authentication types with descriptive features and uses for each:

Authentication Type	Overview
WEP	Lower security For use with older legacy devices, PDAs, wireless printers
WPA	Good security (uses TKIP) For use with trusted corporate wireless clients Transparent authentication with Windows log-in No client software needed in most cases
WPA2	Best security (uses AES) For use with trusted corporate wireless clients Transparent authentication with Windows log-in Client software install may be necessary in some cases Supports 802.11i "Fast Roaming" feature No backend authentication needed after first log-in (allows for faster roaming)
WPA2-AUTO	Tries to connect using WPA2 security. If the client is not WPA2 capable, the connection will default to WPA.