Network Defense Essentials (NDE) Practice Exam 2025 – Your All-in-One Resource to Exam Success!

Shared key authentication is the correct method in this context because it involves the use of a preconfigured WEP key that is manually set on both the access point (AP) and the client device. In this process, the client sends an authentication request to the AP, and the AP responds with a challenge text. The client then encrypts this challenge text using the shared WEP key and sends it back to the AP. The AP decrypts the response with its own WEP key. If the decrypted response matches the original challenge text, the AP grants access to the client.

This method emphasizes using a common key for secure communication between the AP and client when establishing a connection, ensuring that both parties have agreed upon the same key. The reliance on a shared secret key forms the basis for the authentication process in this scenario. It is important to note that while shared key authentication provides a layer of security, it is still vulnerable compared to more advanced authentication methods.

In contrast, open system authentication does not use a key for authentication, allowing any client to connect without prior arrangement of credentials. Captive portal authentication is typically used in public Wi-Fi environments where users are redirected to a web page to input login credentials. WPA2 Enterprise authentication employs a more advanced