Patent ID: 7885639
Filing Date: 2011-02-08
Classification: H04L,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method for authenticating a wireless access point performed by a wireless device comprising: upon the wireless device initially connecting to the wireless access point, storing a first service set identifier associated with the wireless access point; determining a first at least one wireless access point attribute for the wireless access point wherein the first at least one wireless access point attribute comprises a set of information contained within a first beacon frame associated with the wireless access point except the service set identifier; storing the at least one wireless access point attribute for the wireless access point; associating the first at least one wireless access point attribute for the wireless access point with the first service set identifier for the wireless access point; upon reconnection to the wireless access point, obtaining a second service set identifier from the wireless access point; matching the second service set identifier to the first service set identifier; determining a second at least one wireless access point attribute for the wireless access point wherein the second at least one wireless access point attribute comprises a set of information contained within a second beacon frame associated with the wireless access point except the service set identifier; and comparing the first at least one wireless access point attribute and the second at least one wireless access point attribute to verify that the wireless access point is not a rogue access point wherein the set of information contained within the first beacon frame comprises a beacon interval, a timestamp, a list of supported rates, one or more parameter sets, a set of capability information, a traffic indication map, a set of frequency hopping information, a set of spread spectrum information, a hopping pattern, a dwell time, a direct sequence spread spectrum and a set of dynamic hub station selection protocol information.