For newer kernel versions (3.+) there is included the module rtl8192cu which activates the device and allows to detect the wireless networks, but I couldn't connect to any network despite no visible error occurred.
Instead, since I got it, I've used the official driver from realtek. One just needed to be aware to blacklist rtl8192cu:
echo 'blacklist rtl8192cu' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
To install the driver just unzip the contents and on a terminal
sh install.sh
Enter the sudo password whenever it is prompted.
However since kernel 3.7+ I couldn't compile the driver because some functions cease to exist on the newer kernels versions, and so I was stuck to keep my older kernel.
Fortunately some awesome person ported it and shared with everyone:
git clone https://github.com/dz0ny/rt8192cu.git
cd rt8192cu
make
sudo make install
Possible errors
compiling driver error
osdep_service.h:575:2: error: implicit declaration of function "daemonize"
possible to comment out the daemonize call in osdep_service.h, though the driver will compile will get an error when trying to load it
loading module error
8192cu: Unknown symbol kernel_thread (err 0)
This could occur if using a module compiled for a different kernel (3.6-) or if compiled without properly porting the driver to kernel 3.7+
Use the ported module, tested on kernel 3.9.10-100.fc17
Another mirror to the ported driver : rt8192cu.tar.gz
All credits to authors maintained.
Sources:
link1
link2