Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) are one of the most promising approaches for IP based mobile network access. In this paper, we present a security and accounting architecture for WLAN based public Internet access. Our scheme is based on the use of Simple Public Key Infrastructure (SPKI) certificates supporting all kinds of prepayment mechanisms. The architecture provides the possibility to grant fully anonymous Internet access for users while using strong cryptography in checking the access rights. As an example implementation of our concept, we describe an Internet cafe where the users buy Internet access time for their portable terminals together with other products. The access rights are presented as SPKI certificates and transferred to the users through an infrared link which is secure due to its locality. The user requesting the Internet access presents the required certificates through WLAN link to the access controller. Routing to the external Internet is granted if the acces..
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