Wireless router question

[mark]

Wondering about WPA vs WEP. Understand that WPA is more secure than WEP but the kids DS is WEP and he's been bugging me about it.

Since my router's either WPA or WEP, any big deal in the real world to just run WEP?

[AndyL]

Have the option to run WEP with MAC address filtering? Generally a good compromise, Looking for a solution myself - as WEP really slows down the network, yet a certain ME box in the house wont do WPA...

[Pan]

Wondering about WPA vs WEP. Understand that WPA is more secure than WEP but the kids DS is WEP and he's been bugging me about it.

Since my router's either WPA or WEP, any big deal in the real world to just run WEP?
I'll admit its a google search but i don't feel like typying everything :)

WPA:

Wifi Protected Access. It bridges the gap between WEP and the upcoming 802.11i standard, and is implementable via firmware upgrades in older hardware. WPA uses Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (or TKIP), which is designed to alow WEP to be upgraded through corrective measures that address the existing security problems.

Advantages over WEP:

* IV length has increased to 48 bits from 24 bits, which allows WPA to achieve over 500 trillion possible key combinations.
* IVs are now better protected through the use of the TSC, or TKIP sequence counter, helping to prevent the re-use of IV keys.
* Master keys are never directly used.
* Better key management
* Impressive message integrity checking

[mseepman]

Wep is really just fine. Unless you feel you could be specifically targeted for hacking, it's not usually worth it for someone to try and beat WEP. WEP is easy too. Go with 128bit encription. Most routers will help you generate a code, but if not, search for a WEP generator on google and tons will pop up, simply type in your phrase and it will create a code from it.

Hope that helps.

[mark]

Have the option to run WEP with MAC address filtering?

Appears not (old SMC 7004) though can see the advantage.

I'll admit its a google search but i don't feel like typying everything :)

WPA:

Wifi Protected Access. It bridges the gap between WEP and the upcoming 802.11i standard, and is implementable via firmware upgrades in older hardware. WPA uses Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (or TKIP), which is designed to alow WEP to be upgraded through corrective measures that address the existing security problems.

Advantages over WEP:

* IV length has increased to 48 bits from 24 bits, which allows WPA to achieve over 500 trillion possible key combinations.
* IVs are now better protected through the use of the TSC, or TKIP sequence counter, helping to prevent the re-use of IV keys.
* Master keys are never directly used.
* Better key management
* Impressive message integrity checking

Sort of the point of my question, not the CIA here so is only having, I don't know, a billion combinations really that bad? Should I be worried about the neighbour hacking into my computer and seeing my old CANTAX file (worst thing I can think of) if using WEP?

[EmilyB]

I don't know, but I do know I had WiFi Hacker and he showed up right away as "HPLaptop"

I actually was able to access his HD for a sec, it had all this really weird stuff that sounded like gaming to me. I should have looked more, but I panicked and got the system more secure.

It was probably nothing, but we have a whole new routering system now.

[Pan]

Appears not (old SMC 7004) though can see the advantage.



Sort of the point of my question, not the CIA here so is only having, I don't know, a billion combinations really that bad? Should I be worried about the neighbour hacking into my computer and seeing my old CANTAX file (worst thing I can think of) if using WEP?
Unless you are specifically targeted by someone who wants in you should be okay. WEP keeps away the oportunists, for instance in my location i can use 7 families wireless routers because they are unsecured, I don't but i could. Apartments and condos are bad for this. I have a buddy going to the University of Alberta and he uses everyone elses internet instead of purchasing his own. I think this is bad but he is a grown boy. So unless you are worried about something specific i wouldn't worry at all. You can always encrypt your Hard Drives if you are worried...look up bestcrypt or truecrypt. OR something like that. I can get back to you on it. For one who knows and is determined, no WEP will not stop them.

Basically it depends on how paranoid you are :) you can get software firewalls, hardware firewalls, etc etc ...trust me google home computer security or home network security.


Here is an okay beginner guide..helps out...leads to other things

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/support/wireless_secure.htm