WEP 128 bit Security, Algorithms?

I was setting my my Linksys wireless router. I wanted to but the WEP encryption on. It asked for a password to allow remote systems to access the network, then it said with the password it needed to generate a Key or Algorithm that was like a 20 character long something. I just disabled the security for now since im not sure what the Algorithm is for and would it be neccessary to know it every time I want my notebook to access the home network?

 

WEP itself is pointless, as demonstrated by Aircrack/Aireplay.
WPA somewhat resolves the issues with WEP.

To configure WEP/WPA set a wep key and WPA challenge (pass phrase) on your router. On the client machines, if you use Windows wireless discovery tool, find your Access Point, select it, enter the WEP key and WPA challenge. You should be good to go...



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I will only have to do that one time right? My notebook will always remember it?

 

Yes, you can let the laptop remember the key.

 

What exactly would be the point of a 128 bit encryption on a home network? Keep the neighbors out lol!
I'm just wondering if it's necessary for like hacker/identity left protection?

 

Yes it would be good for hacker/identy theft protection as many hackers are growing w/ technology, and wardriving is becoming as much a malicious act as a hobby. Also, you dont want your neighbor taking up all you bandwidth do you?

 

If my neirghbors had a wireless LAN and my laptop picked it up that would be hiliarious. Free internet! Unless of course the saw me on the network screen. Good to know thanks all.

 

beware, if you do get caught using someone else's internet it is a felony.
Granted it is very hard for them to find out exactly who is using it, but just be careful

 

I remember reading that somewhere, I think it was at this forum a while back, somone said he "could pick up a WiFi from the guy in the apartment across the hall" and wanted to know if there was anything illegal about it.
I have my own wireless LAN set up now so there would be no reason for me to go searching for others in the neighborhood.

However it would be cool to take the notebook in the car driving through other sub-divisons seeing if you pick up any networks! I'm guessing you would need to be driving relativly slow though.

 

Not protecting your wireless network is just dumb. Would you go on vacation and leave all your doors open? WEP is only weak if your trying to gaurd against hackers. Hackers aren't most people's biggest threat. When you don't enable wep/wap and leave broadcasting on (default) anyone can use your connection. Using your connection is not the same as sharing your bandwidth, Hotspots share their bandwidth but their still secure (for the host). If you allow someone to use your connection, as far as your ISP and any local goverments are concerned, their you. In many cases they can also get full access to your computer and all it's files; no hacking required. It would be so simple the thirteen-year-old AOL kiddy down the street could do it.

They may not get your SS and credit card number, let's assume your to smart for that, they could however get all your contacts, they could infect you with a trojan (which are extremly easy to find and use). Even if the person connecting didn't know **** about hacking or viruses, they could print a document from your printer - say 99999 8x10 photos. Anything you can do from your computer they can do.

Why on Earth would you give a stranger that option?

Don't be an idiot... enable and change the default admin password for your network. Use a 10 digit password that is not a word found in a dictionary. Use combinations of letters and numbers. Enable the strongest encryption your router supports. Turn off SSID broadcasting to make your network invisible, enable mac address filtering, and if possible (this is a little more advanced) lower your router's power so that coverage is just enough for your home and not enough for your neighbors to connect.

http://securitymatters.about.com/od/computersecurity/tp/wifisecurity.htm



Re: "wanted to know if there was anything illegal about it." Yes, accessing another person's computer without their knowledge and concent is illegal. It would be like walking into a person's unlocked home & watching their DirectTV. The difference is getting caught is damn near impossible.