wireless Encryption

[cristi777]

I use now WEP Encryption ...but i heard that people can crack it and get my key

what you think is better to use ?

 

[MustISO]

WPA2

 

[JackMDS]

From the weakest to the strongest, Wireless security capacity is.

No Security
Switching Off SSID (same has No Security. SSID can be easily sniffed even if it is Off)
MAC Filtering______(Band Aid if nothing else is available, MAC number can be easily Spoofed).
WEP64____(Easy, to "Break" by knowledgeable people).
WEP128___(A little Harder, but "Hackable" too).
-------------------
The three above are Not considered safe.
Safe Starts here at WPA.
-------------------

WPA-PSK__(Very Hard to Break).
WPA-AES__(Not functionally Breakable)
WPA2____ (Not functionally Breakable).

Note 1: WPA-AES the the current entry level rendition of WPA2.

Note 2: If you use WinXP bellow SP3 and did not updated it, you would have to download the WPA2 patch from Microsoft.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/893357

The documentation of your Wireless devices (Wireless Router, and Wireless Computer's Card) should state the type of security that is available with your Wireless hardware.

All devices MUST be set to the same security level using the same pass phrase.

Therefore the security must be set according what ever is the best possible of one of the Wireless devices.

I.e. even if most of your system might be capable to be configured to the max. with WPA2, but one device is only capable to be configured to max . of WEP, to whole system must be configured to WEP.

If you need more good security and one device (like a Wireless card that can do WEP only) is holding better security for the whole Network, replace the device with a better one.

Setting Wireless Security - http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html

The Core differences between WEP, WPA, and WPA2 - http://www.ezlan.net/wpa_wep.html

 

[ScottMac]

Actually, WEP 128 is easier to break than the 64 because there are more seed values; a crack program (likely) has fewer iterations to hit on a seed.

 

[Pghpooh]

Just curious.
Does encryption slow down data transfer speeds??

If you change encryption, do you have to change it on the router and laptop and other machines you use on your network?

 

[kevnich2]

Originally posted by: Pghpooh
Just curious.
Does encryption slow down data transfer speeds??

If you change encryption, do you have to change it on the router and laptop and other machines you use on your network?

If you change a lock on your house, do people with the keys to the older locks have to get new keys or do their old keys work on the new upgraded locks? Same principle. And the answer is that yes, you have to change the encryption on the client devices as well.

 

[Pghpooh]

kevnich2
In some areas near my house people do not use keys to get into house. They use a size 12 boot to kick down the door!!! LOLOLOLOL
Where I went astray here was I looked at the properties of the broadband card installed on my laptop and didn't see anything about encryption.
After I read your reply I went into the network properties and found the encryption choices.

Thanks
Pghpooh

 

[ScottMac]

Originally posted by: Pghpooh
Just curious.
Does encryption slow down data transfer speeds??

If you change encryption, do you have to change it on the router and laptop and other machines you use on your network?

Generally, speed is not affected to any significant degree. The encryption is typically done in hardware at this point.

You change encryption type and keys at both ends.