| Because nobody wants to compromise the integrity of | | | | mandatory part of the standard.Without a doubt WEP |
| their network by having some hacker "borrow" your | | | | is better than nothing because it will; at least, deter the |
| bandwidth or gain access and start snooping around | | | | casual intruder, who won't try anything more than |
| you need to lock down your network. Fortunately, | | | | double-clicking to gain access to your network. In |
| encryption is built into wireless technology; it's simply a | | | | addition, WEP can also make you less of a target for |
| matter knowing how to turn it on.Wired Equivalent | | | | wardrivers because there's so many completely open |
| Privacy (WEP) or WiFi Protected Access (WPA) | | | | networks that are even easier targets than those |
| The good news is that wireless technology does | | | | using WEP that they simply access them. However, |
| have pre-built security but the bad news is there's a | | | | it's silly to use WEP nowadays (post 2003) when |
| flaw in that security. The problem lies in the fact that | | | | WPA is so easily available.Encryption - Turning It |
| it's been built upon two completely incompatible | | | | OnActually turning on encryption in Windows is fairly |
| standards with the result being that it's a pain in the | | | | easy. The problem isn't complexity it's time or |
| "you know what" to set up a whole network to use | | | | aggravation because it does involve a fair amount of |
| encryption.Like most new technologies it starts out | | | | clicking which is probably why so few people |
| using a certain standard and then as the technology | | | | bother.Step one is to turn on encryption for your |
| evolves better ways are developed that make the | | | | wireless router or access point. The exact method will |
| original technology obsolete. Flaws are also exposed in | | | | vary between devices but you can usually do it by |
| the original standard that make it less desirable. | | | | visiting the router or access point's configuration page |
| Problems then develop as business and individuals | | | | in your web browser, find the encryption settings and |
| scramble to transition from the old to the new | | | | then choosing WPA. If you have any trouble, refer to |
| because during the transition there's always equipment | | | | your manual.Once you've done that, you'll need to |
| and devices that use the old technology and the | | | | change the encryption settings on your computers. |
| differences usually cause compatibility issues.WEP | | | | Open the "View Available Wireless Networks" screen |
| was the original standard for encryption over 802.11 | | | | by right-clicking on your wireless connection (bottom |
| wireless networks but in 2001 a research paper was | | | | right of your screen) and selecting it from the menu |
| published entitled: "Weaknesses in the Key Scheduling | | | | that appears. Next, click "Change advanced settings" |
| Algorithm of RC4" which demonstrated critical flaws in | | | | go to the Wireless Networks section and click your |
| the security of WEP that made it rather simple for | | | | network's name and then click Properties.Next, where |
| someone with reasonable know how to break it and | | | | it says "Network authentication" select WPA and click |
| have access to someone's network.In a nutshell, WEP | | | | OK on everything you've opened. Really not that bad |
| made it too easy to discover its' secret key and once | | | | but then again, that's not the fun part. The fun comes |
| you have the key; you can hack in and stay for as | | | | when you get to do this for "every computer on your |
| long as you want. Owners quickly recognized that it | | | | network". Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but |
| was virtually useless to use WEP on their networks | | | | grab a latte, put your feet up and start clicking.Easier |
| but by the time the industry discovered the security | | | | for New NetworksAs you can see, the process is |
| flaw the WEP method was built into almost every | | | | your basic "pain in buns" for existing networks but |
| piece of wireless equipment made.Clearly, the WEP | | | | fortunately it's much easier for networks that have not |
| standard had to be replaced and in 2003 WPA was | | | | been set up. You still need to turn on encryption at the |
| introduced and fortunately it fixed most of its | | | | wireless router or access point but once you've done |
| predecessor's flaws. WPA is much more secure than | | | | that you can set up encryption using the Wireless |
| WEP. Unfortunately, WPA took a long time to reach | | | | Network Setup Wizard.You'll have to ask Mr. Gates |
| the market and WPA devices were rather expensive | | | | about this one but for some reason Windows still turns |
| when first released. As a result, WEP was and still is | | | | on WEP by default when you set up your wireless |
| the default in a high percentage of the software being | | | | network. What this means is that each time you go |
| used because it's supported by more devices. Now | | | | through the wizard, you'll need to remember to check |
| you can see why we find ourselves in the confused | | | | the box on the third screen that says "Use WPA |
| situation we are today.WPA is the Here and NowIf | | | | encryption instead of WEP". A pain, but it's still easier |
| you plan on to enable encryption, always use WPA. | | | | than changing the settings manually down the road.This |
| Any devices purchased after 2003 should be WPA | | | | article may be reproduced only in its entirety.Kevin |
| compatible because the upgrade was made a | | | | Erickson is an entrepreneur and writer. |