摘要 |
A Security Manager Device 16 employs a transmitter (22, fig. 2) requiring close proximity to a client device 10-14, such as a line-of-sight laser or infra-red source or a near-field wireless antenna, in order to set up and authenticate a secure wireless channel without requiring direct physical contact with both devices. Network authentication information such as identities, encryption keys and user security levels are stored in the device (20), use of which is controlled by a biometric verification device (30) or keypad (26) and which is small enough to attach to a key ring. This avoids the risks in current Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) systems of the network key being stolen, and of client devices or networks (since many wireless networks may overlap) being misidentified. |