Network Security Key: A Step By Step Guide

Posted by: lukwago J in Tech October 14, 2021

In fact, the networking has made our lives very easier in various aspects. However, the safety feature of networking is still a most tricky thing. Now, there are multiple ways of including security aspects to the network. Of course, the network security key can greatly assists to authenticate the connection developed to the wireless network and also it is widely utilized to protect a network. Usually, the user can connect to a device or a network by appealing an accurate NSK known as Network Security Key. But still, most of the people are confused a NSK with the easy password, when it is a lot more than that.

First of all, you must be very much familiar with what the network security is. Actually, the network security consists of techniques, standards and policies utilized to stop the unauthorized access to a network. The misuse of information or data through a network can be prevented through a strong network security. This network security key (NSK) is also a kind of passphrase or password that utilized to gain access to the private device or network. Unlike any other passwords, this network security key can be physical, biometric or digital according to the choice of a user.

Typically, the network contains routers and access points, which are protected by a NSK. Even the unauthorized users cannot enter your network and they do not even know the network security key. Rather, it highly supports to safeguard your information and files available on any device or wireless network connect to a network. Moreover, this network security key must be very challenging and strong to estimate arbitrarily. The data packets interchanged through a private network is also well authenticated by a NSK. This key also invents a safe connection between the client or user and the network beneath a usage.

Why do you want network security key (NSK)?

The main purpose of having NSK is for protecting your devices and networks, which are linked to them. The use cases of NSKs are as follows:

To protect the routers and access points of any network
To control or ban unauthorized access to Wi-Fi or any other wireless networks
To encrypt the data packets interchanged via a network or throughout devices
To give safety to a big scale networks that should be of enterprises or companies
To offer a safe connection between a reliable personal network and a device or any other wireless network

Thus, the network security key has several use cases apart from simply validating the request of a user to join the network. Also, it is very supportive for multiple chores such as financial activities, online shopping and securing online transactions and so on.

Different kinds of network security keys

The network security keys can be classified into four kinds that include:

Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)

The WEP is a conventional network security key, which helps in permitting access to the authorized users in a network. The 40-bit static encryption code is utilized to authorize the users through WEP. It also assists to protect the interchange of data packets between the devices and router linked to it. Also, it is a prime type of network security key, which offers less safety than any other forms of NSK.

Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)

The network security key for every data packet in the network is unique in WPA. For every data packet, the burglar has to break diverse NSK that improves the safety. This system also makes 128-bit key vigorously each time, when the data packets come into a system. Also, the WPA does message veracity checks to find the alterations and faults. The WPS also utilizes a temporal key integrity protocol (TKIP) that gives a feasible link layer safety to the wireless networks.

Wi-Fi Protected Access Pre-Shared Key (WPA-PSK)

The 256-bit key is pre-shared in WPA-PSK that often utilized to take out the 128-bit key. After, this key is used to encrypt or safe the data packets, which are shared over a network. More often, it is vastly utilized for validating the users or clients on a local area network (LAN). Furthermore, the telecom companies are using this WPA-PSK to give instant access to their users in the particular home networks.

WPA2 Enterprise

Today, many of the companies and enterprises are using WPA2 key in order to protect their network. So, the company simply installs a validation server in such case. It also assists in validating the employees linked to a server or network. The validating server utilized in WPA2 enterprise is also called as RADIUS server. It is a database that consists of employee’s credentials, which are linked with this server and also assists it in an authentication process.

Therefore, the entire wireless networks want to be safeguard from burglars to gain instant access to the information and data as well as misuse them. So, you can use any of NSKs steps for improving the safety of your wireless networks.

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