Is WEP Secure?

[Moderator]

Question:
Is WEP Secure?

Answer:
No. WEP at one time was considered extremely, however, now, a skilled hacker can break the WEP passcode in about 40 seconds.

Other common secure formats that exist on most routers now are:

• WPA-PSK [TKIP]
• WPA2-PSK [AES]
• WPA-PSK [TKIP] + WPA2-PSK [AES]
• Another method of security that can be used along with any of the above formats is called Mac Address allowing. A Mac Address is kind of like a fingerprint for your network card, it can be spoofed, however, its usually difficult to do so. Look in your router manual, as Mac Address filtering can be under many different names. Netgear calls it a "Access List"
  
  If your current router doesnt support any of the above formats, ask yourself these questions:
  
• Do I keep important data on my computer and its network shares?
• Does every computer in my home have Firewall installed?
• Do I live in a populated area where my connection will be easily found? (!! Even if you live in a small town, never assume that no one around you knows anything about computers and/or hacking networks) (!! Even if you live miles away from other houses, its still a good idea to have good security. Got to keep those Department of Ecology Superfreaks out of your network, you know!)

Tips for setting up a good secure network:

• Obvious: Make the passcode hard to guess. Never use things such as, 123456789, your name, birthdate, address, street name, anything related to you your location or things you own or manage
• Make it at least eight characters long, and its usually a good idea to include numbers maybe even a few other misc. characters
• Change it every so often! Most security obsessed people will tell you to change your passwords every three months... I think that every 6 months is a better number, however, I still only see a necessary one year change.
• Ex-Girlfriend/Ex-Boyfriend/Other-crazy-person(maybe an ex?) who might want revenge left your house? Ought to change everything then too...

Misc. Information:

• Many people look into wide range WiFi devices. Keep in mind, you dont want your WiFi router to cover the neighborhood. If your device allows you to adjust the broadcast power without affecting the speed, reduce it to the point where it only covers your house
• Never keep an Ethernet cable outside in an area where an insane stranger can get to it. Security seldom applies (except for your router configuration password) to wired connections

Special Thanks:
BC_Programmer        Reminded me of another great way to secure a network, the Mac Address Filter.


Please feel free to ask questions, question, comment, or give concern. Eventually, this topic will be locked once its perfected.

Why cant a psp get around them then???

[Moderator]

Why cant a psp get around them then???

Older PSP firmware versions, last time I checked, only supported WEP. I think that if you upgrade your firmware, you may be able to access other network types.

Why cant PSP access WEP? Bad planning. The PSP wasnt made for Internet, that was just a sub feature... they should have worked harder on it for security reasons.

I've always found that instead of- or, even, in addition to, WPA or WPA2, enabling the router feature to only allow certain MAC ID's authorization. There are ways of spoofing a MAC ID, but that paired with the necessity to crack WPA or WPA2 kind of means they will move to the neighbors open network to begin with. Other peoples insecurity is my security.

[Moderator]

I've always found that instead of- or, even, in addition to, WPA or WPA2, enabling the router feature to only allow certain MAC ID's authorization. There are ways of spoofing a MAC ID, but that paired with the necessity to crack WPA or WPA2 kind of means they will move to the neighbors open network to begin with. Other peoples insecurity is my security.

Very good point. I use that as well, along with WPA-2 Enterprise (or whatever version it is now...). I added it to the list.

why is it then you can access some when it prompts you for a password to it?  Is it cause there isnt one or that its just not secure enough.  I thought that was a main feature. So it would allow for more gaming time an such.

what are you on about?

PSP allowing access to WEP secured connections

because it supports WEP...

yes but shouldnt a password prevent that.  Isnt that why WEP is a security thing.....  .....

that would be why, as you said, it prompts for a password...

were going in a loop here but you can get around that.... oh duh

[Moderator]

If a password wasnt set, if more than one password was set and one of them was blank, or if you didnt set up the password correctly, even if it asks for one, if it wasnt done right, then a blank password would be accepted.

Oh just a matter of putting one.  Did think to think of that, sorry 

Does it matter what is use for a WPA code to secure my wireless router. I use a Truemoblie 2300 Dell Wireless router. This device did not come with any suggested password to use.