Patent ID: 7606370

Claim:
A method, comprising: distributing a key to a plurality of nodes of a wireless network for use in securing the nodes during use of the wireless network; and automatically updating the key at the nodes in the wireless network based on predetermined criteria; wherein the key is updated utilizing a software application downloaded by: advertising a peer-to-peer wireless network utilizing a granting node; allowing connection to the peer-to-peer wireless network utilizing a requesting node; in response to any request received from the requesting node, automatically redirecting the requesting node to a portal including a captive portal; and downloading the software application to the requesting node via the peer-to-peer wireless network utilizing the portal, the key being updated utilizing the downloaded software application; wherein the portal includes a graphical user interface; wherein the graphical user interface allows a user of the requesting node to download the software application; wherein the software application is downloaded to the requesting node in response to the user selection of a button displayed as part of the graphical user interface; wherein the portal includes a web page stored at the granting node; wherein the software application carries out a process including: exchanging a first key between the granting node and the requesting node via another peer-to-peer wireless network; generating a human-perceptible hash at the granting node and the requesting node, utilizing the first key; comparing the human-perceptible hashes via an out-of-band communication channel; and transmitting a second key to the requesting node for providing access to a centrally-based wireless network based on the comparison.