Microsoft KB Archive/944162

= Information about the Wi-Fi Security feature of Windows Live OneCare =

Article ID: 944162

Article Last Modified on 11/2/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Windows Live OneCare

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INTRODUCTION
This article describes the new Wi-Fi Security feature of Windows Live OneCare. This article also describes the system prerequisites that you must have to enable Wi-Fi Security. And it includes answers to frequently asked questions about this feature.



MORE INFORMATION
Wi-Fi Security is a new Windows Live OneCare feature that helps protect home wireless networks. If Wi-Fi Security is not enabled, Windows Live OneCare prompts you to automatically add protection to the network and to any other computers that may be in your home network.

The feature is provided mainly to help protect users who may not know that their home networks are not secure and may be vulnerable to unauthorized usage or attack. Windows Live OneCare provides an easy-to-follow wizard that helps you configure the Wi-Fi Security feature. After you finish the installation, you can easily configure the Wi-Fi Security feature for any other computers that are also part of your home network.

How Wi-Fi Security works
If you have the perquisites to configure Wi-Fi Security, you are presented with a white action item in the main window of the Windows Live OneCare user interface when Windows Live OneCare detects that you are connected to a nonsecure wireless network. (This action item also appears in monthly reports.) When you execute this action item, Windows Live OneCare communicates directly with the router and turns on WEP128 encryption. After you enable Wi-Fi Security, Windows Live OneCare lets you save the network information to a flash drive or print manual instructions. Later, you can connect any additional computers in the home to the new secure network.

Prerequisites for Wi-Fi Security
The following list described the prerequisites that you must have to be able to enable the Wi-Fi Security feature on a computer that has Windows Live OneCare:  You must have a router and firmware that supports wireless security. For more information about supported routers, visit the following Web site:

http://channel9.msdn.com/wiki/default.aspx/OneCare.SupportedRouterList

 The router must not have wireless security already enabled. The network zone must be configured as &quot;home&quot; or &quot;work&quot; and not &quot;public.&quot; The router must be set with the factory logon credentials. Third-party software programs that disable the Windows Wireless Zero Configuration service must not be installed.

Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

Wi-Fi Security feature frequently asked questions
Q1: Why does Windows Live OneCare use WEP128 encryption instead of other encryption methods, such as Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)?

A1: To make sure that Windows Live OneCare supports many routers, Microsoft chose to use the encryption method that is the most frequently supported. WEP128 encryption supports both old and new routers.

Q2: Why does Windows Live OneCare require that the router be configured to use the factory default logon credentials?

A2: Currently, the router must be configured to use a known set of credentials for OneCare to be able to communicate with the router. Future versions of Windows Live OneCare may support using credentials other than the factory default credentials.

Q3: Why does Windows Live OneCare change the wireless network name (SSID) to &quot;OneCare_ &quot;?

A3: To make sure that networks that are secured by Windows Live OneCare are clearly differentiated from other home networks to which your computer may connect, the wireless network is given a unique Windows Live OneCare name. Future versions of Windows Live OneCare may support customized network names.

Keywords: kbhowto kbinfo kbexpertisebeginner KB944162

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