Re:Wireless Network Authentication Setting: Open vs. Shared

["Ghaith Nasrawi" <libero () aucegypt edu>]

> From "Wireless Security"
http://www.cc.gatech.edu/classes/AY2003/cs8803k_spring/Wireless_Security.ppt


<snip>

Associating with the AP

Access points have two ways of initiating communication with a client
Shared Key or Open Key authentication. Open key allows anyone to start
a conversation with the AP Shared Key is supposed to add an extra
layer of security by requiring authentication info as soon as one
associates.

How Shared Key Auth. works

Client begins by sending an association request to the AP AP responds
with a challenge text (unencrypted) Client, using the proper WEP key,
encrypts text and sends it back to the AP If properly encrypted, AP
allows communication with the client

Is Open or Shared Key more secure?

Ironically enough, Open key is the answer in short Using passive
sniffing, one can gather 2 of the three variables needed in Shared Key
authentication: challenge text and the encrypted challenge text

Simply plugging these two values into the RC4 equations will yield the
WEP key!

</snip>

---------- Initial Header -----------

> From      : "Andrew McIntosh" amcintosh () networkadvocates com
To          : security-basics () lists securityfocus com
Cc          :
Date      : Fri, 7 Jan 2005 16:03:45 -0500
Subject : Wireless Network Authentication Setting: Open vs. Shared

> Hello,
>
> Can anybody explain the difference between the 'Open' and 'Shared'
> values in the Network Authentication field on the wireless settings box
> in Windows? That's always been a gray area for me. Also, does Windows
> (or any other program) ever reset that value to 'Open' for some reason?
>
> Thanks!
>
> =========================
> Andrew McIntosh
> Email: AMcIntosh () NTAD com
> =========================


-----

 (o_
 //\   Ghaith Nasrawi
 V_/_



PAST, n.
That part of Eternity with some small fraction of
which we have a slight and regrettable
acquaintance. A moving line called the Present
parts it from an imaginary period known as the
Future. These two grand divisions of Eternity, of
which the one is continually effacing the other,
are entirely unlike. The one is dark with sorrow
and disappointment, the other bright with
prosperity and joy. The Past is the region of
sobs, the Future is the realm of song. In the one
crouches Memory, clad in sackcloth and ashes,
mumbling penitential prayer; in the sunshine of
the other Hope flies with a free wing, beckoning
to temples of success and bowers of ease. Yet the
Past is the Future of yesterday, the Future is the
Past of to-morrow. They are one -- the knowledge
and the dream. (The Devil's Dictionary)