Which protocol is often recommended for securing wireless networks against unauthorized access?

WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) is recommended for securing wireless networks against unauthorized access because it provides strong encryption and authentication mechanisms. It is specifically designed to address the vulnerabilities present in its predecessor, WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), which has known weaknesses that can be easily exploited by attackers.

WPA2 utilizes the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) for data encryption, which is significantly more secure than WEP's encryption methods. It also supports more robust authentication processes, such as 802.1X for enterprise environments, which adds an additional layer of security by verifying user credentials before granting access to the network.

The protocol's ability to ensure both data integrity and confidentiality makes it a reliable choice for protecting data transmitted over wireless networks, thereby preventing unauthorized access. This makes WPA2 the standard protocol recommended for securing wireless networks effectively.