Wi-Fi security crackdown

Wireless LANs have jumped back into the headlines with this week's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

As my colleague John Cox points out, CES is showing products based on the draft IEEE 802.11n specification, including access points that can deliver throughput in the hundreds of megabits per second. Plus, the network processors being used in these devices are being improved to handle the higher volumes of voice, video and data sent over the airwaves.

The Wi-Fi Alliance unveiled the Wi-Fi Protected Setup specification intended to make it easier to set up a secure wireless LAN. The alliance says that many people don't use the security tools that are available with most Wi-Fi gear because they are too difficult to use. The new spec cuts the number of steps required.

Coincidentally, Ellen Messmer reports that certain governments are reacting to the lack of security on WLANs with legislation. The government in Westchester County, N.Y., recently required commercial businesses to secure their WLAN access. Plus, any businesses offering public wireless access are required to post a sign advising users to use firewalls or other security tools.

The law means that Westchester County's IT department has to drive around looking for unsecured WLANs. Any businesses caught under-securing their networks could be subject to fines.

Meanwhile, Messmer writes, California's “Wi-Fi User Protection Bill” pressures manufacturers of wireless equipment to provide security warnings along with the products.

In any case, by the time legislatures are dealing with an issue, you know it's mainstream - plus we've got the Wi-Fi Alliance working to make security easier. It's interesting that security on WLANs has reached that mainstream status, and we may be seeing the beginning of the end of widespread free-access Wi-Fi.