WPA-PSK Key Lifetime?

[ddeder]

I have a Netgear wireless router that allows me to secure the network with either a WEP key or a WPA key. It is my understanding that WEP keys are not secure at all so I want to use the WPA key. When I enter the WPA key, it tells me I must enter a value for "Key Lifetime" which is in minutes. I can enter any value between 1 and 256. I understand that this value determines how often the key is changed. I guess that the more often the key is changed, the harder it will be to crack. Knowing this, why would anyone want to set this value to a higher number? Why is there even a choice? Wouldn't it make sense for the router to just set this value to the lowest number (1 minute) and not allow it to be changed?

 

[ScottMac]

Changing the key takes processing time and bandwidth (and could (not usually) cause a minor delay while the keys are gen'd and exchanged.

Given that (with a reasonably strong key) it would take hours/days/weeks/months to break the encryption, a setting of ~ an hour or so is generally sufficient.

A strong key is long, doesn't use words you'd find in a dictionary (break 'em up with numbers and punctuation, and is not related to your name, address, phone number ... any value that could be associated with you (like if you're a Star Trek Freak ...).

Good Luck

Scott

 

[Pabster]

See if you can upgrade to WPA2-PSK instead.

 

[nweaver]

the key rotation can also cause pauses in file transfers while you auth, rotate keys, and then reauth with the new key.