D-Link adds WPA security to wireless line

D-Link AirPlus, AirPremiere, AirPlus Xtreme G and AirXpert AGB product lines to support WPA technology, adding a new level of wireless security.

D-Link today announced that its AirPlus, AirPremiere, AirPlus Xtreme G, and AirXpert ABG wireless networking product lines will feature the new Wi-Fi Protected Access(WPA) security standard. The new standard combines data encryption and network authentication to offer the next step in security for wireless networks. Available in Q2 2003, WPA will be featured inshipping D-Link products and available to current users with a free firmware download.

D-Link’s support of WPA provides users with greater protection against security attacks to the Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). WPA combines TKIP encryption, an upgrade to WEP encryption, along with upgraded access control measures to ensure the industry’s highest levels of security for 802.11 wireless networks. Employed in D-Link’s enhanced 802.11b+ AirPlus and AirPremiere wireless networking families, the draft compliant 802.11g AirPlus Xtreme G line, and the 802.11a/802.11b/draft compliant 802.11g AirXpert AGB line, WPA ensures the integrity of each wireless network.

“D-Link supports the WPA security standard in all of our major wireless networking product lines, and it will be available in a free download to our current users,” said Steven Joe, President of D-Link. “WPA combines the latest in security technology to ensure even more that wireless networks can be intrusion-free.”

Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) replaces the existing Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) standard, and provides users with improved data encryption protocols keeping intruders from even connecting to a wireless network. WPA implements the 802.1X standard and the Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP). The combined framework uses a centralized authentication server which allows WPA to provide a much secure authentication to the wireless network by authenticating each user prior to joining. In addition, home users can take advantage of a special mode that automates the WPA security features, making WPA setup even easier to implement.