Ethical Hacking Essentials Practice Test

Which authentication method is commonly used alongside WPA2 for centralized client authentication in large networks?

1. Kerberos

2. OAuth

3. Basic Authentication

4. DIGEST authentication

The correct answer is: Kerberos

Kerberos is a network authentication protocol that works on the principle of tickets to allow nodes to prove their identity in a secure manner. In large networks, particularly those that utilize WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access II), Kerberos is commonly used for centralized client authentication. This method enhances security and manageability by providing a single point of user authentication, allowing for seamless access to network resources without requiring repeated logins. The integration of Kerberos with WPA2 is important for environments where a large number of users need access to the network, as it supports robust security measures such as mutual authentication between clients and servers. This aspect of Kerberos makes it especially suitable for enterprise-grade wireless networks. Other methods listed, such as OAuth, Basic Authentication, and DIGEST authentication, do not provide the same level of centralized management or efficient authentication mechanisms needed for larger networks. OAuth is mainly used for delegated access, Basic Authentication is quite simple and not secure unless combined with HTTPS, and DIGEST authentication is an improvement over Basic Authentication but still lacks the robust features of Kerberos that support centralized management and security requirements in large-scale network environments.