Powerline communication device supporting secure data exchange

1. A Power Line Communications (PLC) device comprising:

a processing module;

memory coupled to the processing module;

a Wireless Local Area Network interface (WLAN I/F) coupled to the processing module; and

a PLC communication interface (PLC I/F) coupled to the processing module, the PLC I/F, WLAN I/F, and the processing module to:

automatically download an executable program via the PLC I/F upon the PLC device being plugged into to a power line, and to load and execute the executable program in response thereto to establish communications with a premises communication device via the PLC I/F;

request WLAN service from the premises communication device via the PLC I/F;

receive WLAN access credentials from the premises communication device via the PLC I/F; and

access a WLAN via the WLAN I/F using the WLAN access credentials.

2. The PLC device of claim 1 , wherein the processing module, the PLC I/F, and the memory are operable to:

receive a PLC access challenge from the premises communication device via the PLC I/F;

retrieve PLC access data;

prepare a PLC access response based upon the PLC access data; and

transmit the PLC access response via the PLC I/F.

3. The PLC device of claim 2 , wherein in retrieving the PLC access data, the processing module is operable to retrieve the PLC access data from the memory.

4. The PLC device of claim 1 , wherein the WLAN access credentials comprise one or more of:

a WLAN system identifier;

a password;

an encryption type; and

an encryption code.

5. The PLC device of claim 1 , wherein all of establishing communication with a premises communication device via the PLC I/F, requesting WLAN service from the premises communication device via the PLC I/F, receiving WLAN access credentials from the premises communication device via the PLC I/F, and accessing the WLAN via the WLAN I/F using the access credentials occur without requiring user interface.

6. The PLC device of claim 1 , wherein the processing module is further operable to:

periodically receive updated WLAN access credentials from the premises communication device via the PLC I/F; and

enact the updated WLAN access credentials to access the WLAN.

7. The PLC device of claim 1 , wherein the processing module is further operable to receive advertisements from the premises communication device via the PLC I/F.

8. The PLC device of claim 1 , wherein the processing module is further operable to service financial transactions with the premises communication device via the PLC I/F.

9. A Power Line Communications (PLC) device comprising:

memory coupled to the processing module;

a PLC communication interface (PLC I/F)

a processing module coupled to the memory and to the PLC I/F, the processing module to:

automatically download an executable program via the PLC I/F upon the PLC device being plugged into to a power line, and to load and execute the executable program in response thereto to establish communications with a client device via the PLC I/F;

receive a WLAN service request from the client device via the PLC I/F;

validate the client device for WLAN service;

transmit WLAN access credentials to the client device via the PLC I/F.

10. The PLC device of claim 9 , wherein the processing module is further operable to:

receive a PLC service request from the client device via the PLC I/F;

transmit a PLC access challenge to the client device via the PLC I/F; and

receive a PLC access response based upon the PLC access challenge via the PLC I/F.

11. The PLC device of claim 9 , wherein the WLAN access credentials comprise one or more of:

a WLAN system identifier;

a password;

an encryption type; and

an encryption code.

12. The PLC device of claim 9 , wherein the processing module is further operable to periodically transmit updated WLAN access credentials to the client device via the PLC I/F.

13. The PLC device of claim 9 , wherein the processing module is further operable to transmit advertisements to the client device via the PLC I/F.

14. The PLC device of claim 9 , wherein the processing module is further operable to service financial transactions with the client device via the PLC I/F.

15. A method of operating a Power Line Communications (PLC) device comprising:

automatically downloading an executable program via the PLC I/F upon the PLC device being plugged into to a power line, and loading and executing the executable program in response thereto to establish communications with a client device via a PLC I/F;

receiving a WLAN service request from the client device via the PLC I/F;

validating the client device for WLAN service; and

transmitting WLAN access credentials to the client device via the PLC I/F.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:

receiving a PLC service request from the client device via the PLC I/F;

transmitting a PLC access challenge to the client device via the PLC I/F; and

receiving a PLC access response based upon the PLC access challenge via the PLC I/F.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the WLAN access credentials comprise one or more of:

a WLAN system identifier;

a password;

an encryption type; and

an encryption code.

18. The method of claim 15 , further comprising periodically transmitting updated WLAN access credentials to the client device via the PLC I/F.

19. The method of claim 15 , further comprising servicing financial transactions with the client device via the PLC I/F.