Shared Key Authentication - WLAN Foundations
Shared Key authentication was thought to be more secure than Open System authentication at the time of their joint specification in the IEEE 802.11-1997 standard. This was due to the fact that Shared Key authentication verified the requestor using a real authentication method whereas Open System authentication simply authenticated the requestor regardless of identity. However, Open System authentication leaves the door open for the use of advanced and evolving security technologies that run across the association created using null authentication.
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