Introduction
WLAN or Wireless Local Area Network is a term used for the networks in which a user can
have a high bit rate network connection through a wireless (radio) connection. The WLAN
networks are usually high in bit rate but relatively short in range. There are several standards
that specify the different kinds of WLANs.The physical architecture of wireless networks
uses Access Points (AP) to connect to the normal wired network and they provide wireless
access to clients (e.g. laptops, PDAs) with WLAN Network Interface Cards (NIC). WLANs
may also be set up between two devices with a NIC, and it is possible to use the WLAN
technology to build larger ad hoc networks as well. The subsequent sections will review the
various techniques that are usually employed to strengthen the security in WLANs along with
their potential merits and vulnerabilities.