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Encryption, Real security.

On a modern 802.11 WLAN you get a couple options when it comes to encryption, WEP and WP

WEP Is Muh.
Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) uses a simple algorithm to encrypt the body of each frame. WEP encryption was supposed to keep deviants from accessing information on your network. However with modern decryption methods and software the WEP technology has been made obsolete.

Rather then getting too technical this time, Think of WEP encryption as closing the door to your home, but not locking it. Sure it looks secure, but the door can be opened. Certain doors may be more likely then others to be opened, just as more effort may be put into cracking into some networks over others.

My personal belief is that WEP is better then having no encryption, it's not making the user completely safe but your not wide open either. WEP Encryption used with some of the other security measures I've mentioned would make a network fairly secure, but not bulletproof.

Want the technical version on learn how WEP can be cracked? I suggest listening to This Episode of Security Now! A Podcast that features security expert Steve Gibson and technology evangelist Leo Leporte. They go over a lot of the points I'm mentioning in this Learning Experience and go more in depth on this issue.

WPA Is Better.
WiFi Protected Access (WPA) is the newer security standard adopted by the WiFi Alliance consortium. WPA delivers a level of security way beyond anything that WEP can offer; it bridges the gap between WEP and 802.11i networks, and has the advantage that the firmware in older equipment may be upgradeable.

WPA uses Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP). This technology dynamically generates a new key for every packet of data the network sends, and generates different sets of keys for each client, unlike WEP encryption which uses a single static key for everything. TKIP is designed to allow WEP to be upgraded. This means that all the main building blocks of WEP are present, but measures have been added to address security problems with the original WEP technology.

In order to use WPA encryption, your hardware must support it. Most wireless hardware manufacturers include WPA capability into all of the new routers and adapters, and some have made WPA updates available for older equipment. Make sure you check your documentation to ensure your equipment is compatible before proceeding.

To enable WPA or WEP encryption on the Belkin router click on 'Security' on the left, then as seen in the below screenshots you will want to select which encryption method you wish to use. The WEP options will look something like -



And WPA will look more like -



Your passphrase can contain up to 63 characters. When choosing a passphrase or key try not to use any common words or phrases, or simple character sequences (such as repeating a single number or letter). For extra security, you many want to change the passphrase or key periodically especially when using WEP encryption.

Form Chris