[Tech] Wi-Fi: da Broadcom tool per la sicurezza

Da Broadcom un software per la configurazione dei parametri di sicurezza dei sistemi wireless:

Broadcom is promising easy-to-use wireless security through bundled software that automatically configures settings and turns on security. The company says its new silicon should be in products in May.



"Even though [Wi-Fi Protected Access] security is mandatory on Wi-Fi-branded equipment, 80 percent of people still don't turn on security," says Gordon Lindsay, Broadcom's European wireless product manager.



Although a standard, WPA security is too complicated for non-technical users, so SecureEZSetup will do the job instead, Lindsay says. Broadcom's silicon already appears in Linksys and U.S. Robotics wireless LAN equipment.



When software on the client spots a new wireless access point, it launches a wizard that turns on security, prompts the user to set a security question (for password recovery), and reboots the access point in a secure mode. A software overlay to WPA eliminates the need to put in passwords manually, registers the PC, and installs WPA keys at both ends of the connection. As this is aimed at consumers who don't have a RADIUS server, the default setting puts WPA in pre-shared key (PSK) mode, rather than use the extensible authentication protocol (EAP).



The software is so far designed for consumers setting up a single-access point network in a home or small office. That is by far the greatest market for wireless LANs so far, Lindsay says, noting, "The enterprise Wi-Fi market has been stagnant in 2003, but it is beginning to pick up now WPA is in place."



However, Broadcom's wizard could easily be adapted to the needs of enterprise users, he adds. For instance, it could enable IT managers to set up a device for their branches that will secure itself, select EAP settings to authenticate with the corporate RADIUS server, and connect to management systems when turned on.

Fonte: PCWorld.