The de facto standard for wireless networking is the 802.11 protocol, which includes Wi-Fi-the wireless standard based on 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11n protocols. With easy-to-install 802.11 network hardware available everywhere you turn, the choice seems simple, and many people dive into wireless computing with less thought and planning than they'd give to a wired network. But it's wise to be familiar with both the capabilities and risks associated with the 802.11 protocols. And 802.11 Wireless Networks: The Definitive Guide, 3rd Edition is the perfect place to start. This thoroughly updated edition covers everything you'll need to know about wireless technology. Designed with system administrators and serious home users in mind, this book is a no-nonsense guide for setting up 802.11 on Windows and Linux.

Matthew Gast is the director of product management at Aerohive Networks, responsible for the software that powers Aerohive's networking devices. He has been active within the Wi-Fi community, serving as the chair of both security task groups at the Wi-Fi Alliance, where he leads efforts to extend the Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) certification to incorporate newly developed security technologies and drive adoption of the strongest forms of security by network administrators. He also led the Wi-Fi Alliance's Wireless Network Management marketing task group's investigation of certification requirements for new power-saving technologies. Matthew is also the past chair of the task group that produced the 802.11-2012 revision.