About Ryan Stewart Expertise I can answer questions, provide advice and assist with troubleshooting several areas of internet and network security including but not limited to: Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 & 2008, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Linux operating systems; planning, design, implementation, management & testing in small business, home and home office environments; server and workstation hardware; in-house and remote system auditing; software-based offensive security (penetration and vulnerability testing); software-based defensive security (firewall configuration, encrypting & securing services with SSL, VPN, AV gateway, antivirus, access control, monitoring & intrusion detection); hardware-based security configuration & techniques; Certificate Authority and SSL certificates; wireless security (WEP, WPA, WPA2, 802.1X).
Experience I've been an independent IT consultant for 5 years serving small businesses and home users.
Education/Credentials CISM - Certified Information Security Manager |
CCNA Security - Cisco Certified Network Associate Security |
MCSA - Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator
Question I am the family tech support go-to guy and am trying to help my stepmom with joining her laptop to her wireless network (which I set up).
IBM ThinkPad 2897 laptop running WinXP Pro and has wireless card inside. Don't currently see an option for WPA2 for wireless connectivity/security, only WEP. But the wireless network is secured by WPA2.
I think there's a driver or file to download that will enable Windows to 'see' this option and add it to the list of available wireless network security protocols, but I'm not sure and not sure where to find it.
I am attempting to join this laptop to the home wireless network which uses the WPA2 protocol with a key (password).
If you are able to provide assistance, reference, recommendation, or a tutorial, please let me know. I certainly appreciate and thank you in advance for your help.
If this update doesn't enable the WPA2 functionality for the wireless card installed in the laptop, then that means it's not compatible with the WPA2 protocol. At that point you could either upgrade the WIFI card, get an external USB WIFI adapter or change the security on the network to WEP. Downgrading the security to WEP should be a last resort.
