Standards for authenticating and encrypting access to Wi-Fi networks are collectively known as which protocol?

Standards for authenticating and encrypting access to Wi-Fi networks are collectively known as which protocol?

• A. WEP
• B. TKIP
• C. IEEE 802.11i
• D. Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)

Answer: (D)

WPA is the protocol that governs how Wi‑Fi networks authenticate users and encrypt traffic. It was designed to fix WEP’s weaknesses by introducing stronger encryption (TKIP) and enabling 802.1X-based authentication. WEP is the old, insecure scheme; TKIP is the interim encryption used within WPA; IEEE 802.11i is the standard that underpins WPA2 (AES/CCMP). Because WPA specifically describes the combined approach to authentication and encryption for wireless access, it is the best answer.

WPA is the protocol that governs how Wi‑Fi networks authenticate users and encrypt traffic. It was designed to fix WEP’s weaknesses by introducing stronger encryption (TKIP) and enabling 802.1X-based authentication. WEP is the old, insecure scheme; TKIP is the interim encryption used within WPA; IEEE 802.11i is the standard that underpins WPA2 (AES/CCMP). Because WPA specifically describes the combined approach to authentication and encryption for wireless access, it is the best answer.