A wireless communication apparatus includes a header recognition section that recognizes a header included in a packet. The apparatus also includes a packet determining section that determines whether the packet is directed to the wireless communication apparatus itself, and a table to recognize a next transmission destination based on a destination of the packet. The apparatus further includes a relay station packet determining section that determines a packet to be relayed through the table and the header recognition section. The apparatus additionally includes a security table to store security data for a recognition of a communication counterpart. The header recognition section neither transmits the corresponding packet from the wireless communication apparatus nor a reception completion confirmation packet, if the received packet is from a station from which a packet reception is not required as determined by security information included in the received packet and information stored in the security table.