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Beginning somewhere with the later updates of Tiger, OS X supports WPA2.
But here is the catch…the security for WPA2 needs to be TKIP and not AES. If you have a WPA2 network with AES encryption (and most modern routers default to this) then you won't be able to connect. TKIP+AES is okay if your router does that.
As to the USB adapters, I've tried a few. You need to find some software (Ralink I think, don't quote me) and use that to connect.
I found it buggy and it dropped me offline more than I ever was online so your luck with that may be bad.
Better to use native Airport Extreme if you can.
As @eyoungren says, WPA2 definitely works on your Airport Extreme equipped iMac as long as your router is set to TKIP.
I use these as an alternative, you have to install a driver but it's transparent once loaded - this listing is dead but you might be able to track one down:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130754121067?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
I use these as an alternative, you have to install a driver but it's transparent once loaded - this listing is dead but you might be able to track one down:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130754121067?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
Have a look at a product called
TP-Link N300 Wireless Wi-Fi Nano Travel Router with Range Extender/Access Point/Client/Bridge Modes (TL-WR802N)
if you don't trust your airport extreme.
Plug it in your ethernet port, connect it to your WiFi and never think about it again
EDIT: I'm in no way connected to TP-Link, any other similar product will do it too
TP-Link N300 Wireless Wi-Fi Nano Travel Router with Range Extender/Access Point/Client/Bridge Modes (TL-WR802N)
if you don't trust your airport extreme.
Plug it in your ethernet port, connect it to your WiFi and never think about it again
EDIT: I'm in no way connected to TP-Link, any other similar product will do it too
I've pretty much decided that connecting my old Macs with a wifi to Ethernet bridge is the way to go, at least within my home network, especially in OS 9 which has no support at all for WPA/WPA2. I have a USB dongle which is rated for at least 802.11g (54 Mbps) but I can't get more than 100KB per second even in USB 2.0 ports.Have a look at a product called
TP-Link N300 Wireless Wi-Fi Nano Travel Router with Range Extender/Access Point/Client/Bridge Modes (TL-WR802N)
if you don't trust your airport extreme.
Plug it in your ethernet port, connect it to your WiFi and never think about it again
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My router has a setting that says "WPA-PSK (TKIP)/WPA2-PSK (AES)", which is how it is configured. Still can't get Airport to work under Tiger (10.4.11 with all updates) though it works in Leopard. I've not really spent a lot of time trying to figure out where the problem is, since I generally just use one of the aforementioned wifi to Ethernet bridges.
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Which system do you have installed as your OS?
I have no trouble to connect my imacG5 iSight/Leopard with our WPA2 wireless network...