Windows XP Update Bolsters Security of Both Private and Public Wi-Fi Networks   - 1,435 Views,

Windows XP Update Bolsters Security of Both Private and Public Wi-Fi Networks

Free Download Adds Support for Advanced Wireless Network Security Standards;
Expands Wireless Market to Security-Mandated Industries and Agencies

REDMOND, Wash., May 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Microsoft Corp.
(Nasdaq: MSFT) has added support for Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) — the
highest level of standards-based wireless security currently available — to
Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Service Pack 2 (SP2).
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO )
Available beginning today as a free* download, the update provides
enterprises, mobile workers and home users with a new level of protection from
wireless threats. Support for the Wi-Fi Alliance standard also enables many
government agencies, healthcare providers and security-mandated industries to
deploy wireless networks for the first time. In addition, the software update
adds support for Wireless Provisioning Services Information Element (WPS IE).
WPS IE allows wireless Internet service providers (ISPs) to easily migrate to
secure Wi-Fi hot spots by enabling support for both unsecured and secured
Wi-Fi networks on a single network infrastructure during the migration.
“For wireless computing to continue growing, consumers and enterprises
need to trust that their information is safe and secure when accessed on these
networks,” said Jawad Khaki, corporate vice president of Windows Networking &
Device Technologies at Microsoft. “This update underscores Microsoft’s
commitment to improving security as we enable our customers to help protect
their wireless networks using the latest available standards.”

Bringing Advanced Data Encryption to Wi-Fi
WPA2 confirms that a PC’s wireless software is compatible with IEEE
802.11i, the security standard developed specifically for Wi-Fi networks.
Building on the protections of the earlier Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)
specification, the new Wi-Fi Alliance standard offers the advanced data
encryption mandated by the Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS)
140-2 specification, by which many government agencies and enterprises must
abide. WPA2 also helps healthcare organizations meet the privacy requirements
for personal medical information required by the Health Insurance Portability
and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
“Since the start of the Wi-Fi boom, customers have wanted to realize the
convenience and increased productivity of wireless networks, but many have not
been able to because of the confidential nature of their work,” said Merwyn
Andrade, chief technology officer at Aruba Networks Inc. “The addition of WPA2
security to Windows XP allows customers to access programs that store
sensitive information and transmit private documents regardless of whether
they are at their desks, in a meeting room or working wirelessly from a remote
location.”

Simplifying Deployment, More Secure Access to Public Networks
The update’s added support for WPS IE allows ISPs to operate multiple
logical wireless networks on a single physical network infrastructure — a
market requirement for most providers as they replace unsecured connections at
hot spots with security-enhanced connections. WPS IE simplifies the network
discovery process and enhances the WPS technology, which is supported on
Windows XP SP2 and enables automated and more secure provisioning of wireless
clients in public Wi-Fi hot spots. More information about WPS can be found at
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=9ADF7496-0D50-4138-
848E-9BC810B83C01&displaylang=en.Availability
The Windows XP SP2 upgrade can be downloaded at no charge* from the
Microsoft Download Center,
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=662bb74d-e7c1-48d6-
95ee-1459234f4483&displaylang=en.

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