Wireless LAN hole leaves corporate networks at risk

Security experts urge caution...

By Pia Heikkila, 6 August 2001 10:30

NEWS US researchers have discovered a security weakness in a wireless LAN protocol that could allow hackers to wreak havoc on corporate networks. The security hole, which exists in networks complying to the 802.11b - otherwise known as Wi-Fi - standard, lets hackers gain access to the secret key used to encrypt data before it gets transmitted. The flaw was uncovered by the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WICA), a group that promotes the use of Wi-Fi. The WICA has urged those companies who rely on the technology to take extra precautions.

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