What is WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup)?

What is WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup)?

Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) is a standard for easy and secure establishment of a wireless network. Traditionally, users would have to manually create a wireless network name (SSID), and then manually entering a creative, yet predictable security key on both the access point and client to prevent unwanted access to their wireless network.
This whole process requires the users to have the background knowledge of the Wi-Fi devices and the ability to make the necessary configuration changes. With WPS, it will automatically configure a wireless network with a network name (SSID) and strong WPA data encryption and authentication. WPS is designed to support various Wi-Fi certified 802.11 products ranging from access points, wireless adapters, Wi-Fi phones, and other consumer electronics devices.

WPS can be enabled using 2 options:

1. PIN (Personal Identification Number) Method, in which a PIN has to be taken either from a sticker label or from the web interface of the WPS device. This PIN will then be entered in the AP or client WPS device to connect.

2. PBC (Push button configuration) Method, in which the user simply has to push a button, either an actual or a virtual one, on both WPS devices to connect.

Advantages of WPS

· WPS automatically configures the network name (SSID) and WPA security key for the access point and the WPS enabled client devices on a network.

· You need not know the SSID and security keys or passphrases when connecting WPS-enabled devices.

· No one can guess or figure out your security keys or passphrase because the keys will be randomly generated.

· No predictable passphrases or long sequences of hexadecimal to enter

· Information and network credentials are securely exchanged over the air using the Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP), one of the authentication protocols used in WPA2.

· WPS has been integrated and is supported in Windows Vista.

Disadvantages of WPS

· It does not support “Ad-Hoc” mode or network where wireless devices are communicated directly to each other without an access point.

· All of the Wi-Fi devices on the network must be WPS certified or WPS-compatible, otherwise you will not be able to take advantage of the ease of securing the network.

· Difficult to add a non-WPS client device to the network because of the long sequences of hexadecimal characters generated by the WPS technology.

· This technology is fairly new, so not every vendor will support the WPS technology.

Facts about WPS

· WPS is a non-proprietary specification that will be a certified technology controlled by Wi-Fi Alliance.

· WPS is an optional certification program for Wi-Fi Certified products.

o Not all Wi-Fi Certified products will include WPS support, users need to look for the Wi-Fi Protected Setup logo or term on the products to ensure that the product is WPS compatible.

· There are 2 primary methods used in the Wi-Fi Protected Setup:

o PIN entry – a mandatory method of setup for all WPS certified devices

o Push button configuration (PBC) – an actual push button on the hardware or through a simulated push button in the software. (This is an optional method on wireless client).

· If you are using the PIN method, you will need a Registrar (access point/wireless router) to initiate the registration between a new device and an active access point/wireless router. (Note: The PBC method may also need a Registrar when used in a special case where the PIN is all zeros)

· WPS is NOT a new security feature – it makes the existing security features easier to configure

Aarushi's murder case: A new twist

Aarushi's murder case: A new twist
The UP police detained one of Aarushi's schoolmates for inquiry, which has revealed some startling facts. It's been six days since Aarushi was found murdered in her room, but so far, the police has not made any headway in the case.

IN AN interesting twist to the Noida murder case of 14-year-old Aarushi Talwar, Brij Lal, additional director general of police (ADGP), law and order, crime, and special task, Uttar Pradesh, said on May 21 that the way Aarushi’s throat was slit showed that the killing was executed by an expert hand, probably of a doctor or a butcher. Aarushi was found murdered in her bedroom under highly mysterious condition at her residence on May 16 morning, around 6.30 am, with her throat slit. Her parents, Dr Rajesh Talwar and Dr Nupur Talwar, are both dentist at Fortis hospital, Noida.

Initially, police suspected Talwar’s domestic help Hemraj, who was found missing after her murder. However, the mystery deepened when Hemraj’s dead body being found by a retired officer on May 17 on the terrace of Talwar’s residence when the officer had gone to offer condolences to the bereaved family. The police then questioned Aarushi’s parents and family about the people who visited them.

Interrogation of Hemraj’s son-in-law, Jeevan, and a close scrutiny of his mobile phone lead to the suspicion of Talwar’s former clinic help, Vishnu Thapa, who was found to be missing since the murder. Apparently, Thapa had gone to his native village last year and the Talwars hired Hemraj. When Thapa returned, Hemraj said that he would not quit and Talwars too didn’t show any inclination to reinstate him. It is believed that Thapa felt cheated and wanted to take revenge.

The people are getting furious with the UP police’s failure to collect any concrete evidence, which would lead to the real killer. Forensic report of Aarushi’s dead body ruled out possibility of any sexual assault prior to her death.

Reports in newspapers said that the way Aarushi’s throat was slit showed that it could be an expert-hand, probably that of a doctor or a butcher. Moreover, forensic experts have pointed out stark contradictions in the post mortem report of Aarushi with regard to the time of death and specifics like status of food found in her intestines. The police believe that the killers were present in Talwar’s house or somewhere in close vicinity even after her murder came to light on Friday morning, which has been proved from the call details of Hemraj’s phone.

Meanwhile, UP police detained one of Aarushi schoolmate on May 21 (Wednesday) for interrogation after police went through the call records of Aarushi’s mobile and found that the duo have spoken over 700 times in the past one month.

Sources said that the boy revealed some startling facts to the police during questioning, which could give a new lease to the case. The Noida police then interrogated Aarushi’s parents for over three hours at their home after the boy’s statement.

It’s been six days since Aarushi was found murdered in her room, but so far the police has not made any head away in the case and their shoddy approach has only angered the people. Amidst all these, many questions, however, remain unanswered – Why was Aarushi killed? What was the motive behind her murder, if robbery and sexual assault have been ruled out? Were Aarushi and Hemraj killed by same killer?