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Windows Possibly Removing Option To Use Outdated Wifi Connections

By June 15, 2019May 17th, 2022Technology News

If you haven’t already installed the 1903 Windows 10 update released in May, be advised.

When you install it, you’ll start seeing warning popup boxes any time you connect to a WiFi network that is using TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol) or WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) to encrypt and secure those connections.

The particulars of the message the popup box contains will vary depending on the situation, but in general, you’ll see one of two things. Either you will get a recommendation to upgrade your connection to a more modern WiFi authentication protocol (like WPA3 if you’re on a home network) or you’ll get a recommendation to disconnect from the WiFi connection and use something more secure if you’re away from home.

In tandem with this change, the company announced that their long term plan is to remove support for the two older protocols altogether, although no specific timeframe for that move was given. tThe company simply said that in some future release, any connection to WiFi networks that utilized these old ciphers would simply be disallowed.

On balance, this is a good move and a smart decision.  The various security issues surrounding WEP and TKIP have been known for years, and better connection options are now widely available.  Upgrading your equipment on this front is probably something you’ve already done, and if you haven’t yet, it’s well past time.

Start making plans now so you’re not caught off guard when Microsoft sends them off into the sunset and stops allowing those types of connections to be made at all.  The last thing you want is to find yourself in a situation where your business comes to a sudden, grinding halt just because you’re using an older WiFi security protocol, especially when it’s so easy to avoid.

Jason Manteiga

Jason J. Manteiga, Vice President of Olmec Systems, has been part of the company for over the past 20 years. He believes that having a great work environment and supportive team, is the ultimate key to success. Since being in the IT realm for over 25 years, Jason, along with Olmec Systems, has been on the Inc. 5000 “List of America’s Fastest Growing Private Companies” and Channel Futures MSP 501 “Top Managed Service Providers in North America,” along with other awards and nominations. Jason earned his Bachelor Degree in Information Systems from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He also holds certifications in Microsoft MCSE, VMWare VCP, and Cisco CCNA. In his spare time, Jason is a contributor for The Center for Social & Legal Research (Privacy Exchange) and a member of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce. His hobbies include cycling and kayaking. He currently lives in New Jersey with his wife, two daughters and son.