router security types

i just got a new router set up and am useing a 64bit WEP setting to protect the network.

i have the options of useing:
WEP
802.1x and RADIUS
WPA-PSK
WPA

which is the best to use? and whats the difference if anything.

 

Of those, WPA-PSK, because it requires the fewest resources and least investment with the highest security.

WEP is simply not as secure as WPA.

Anything with radius requires additional resources to manage the radius server, and it is a bit outdated anyway.

WPA is what is left, and PSK (pre-shared key) is the option to choose you own key to be used by those connecting to your network.

Above and beyond WPA-PSK you will find options for type of encryption such as TKIP or AES. Given the choices you put forth, your options will probably only include TKIP. Use it.

Therefore, WPA-PSK/TKIP is what you want.

There are now WPA2 variants, but it does not sound as if you have those options and probably do not in your client PC's either.

 

ASCII and HEX are my only choices under wpa-psk which one would be best?

 

That would be the option that determines how the key is input, not the encryption of the key. It may default to TKIP, What router? Do you have or have you downloaded the manual?

 

its a level one wbr-3406tx i looked in the manual but it didnt really specify anthing about wpa-psk

 

I also looked and could not find any reference to TKIP nor AES, either.

 

so should would i just be better off useing the wpa-psk ascII or HEX

 

I would still use WPA-PSK. The issue may arise when configuring your PC(s), when you may be asked the AES or TKIP question, or perhaps not. You may have to try a couple of combinations to find out which option your router is doing for you without telling you.

 

ASCII would be easier. Unless you speak HEX

 

I speak HEX, both dialects of it: ASCII HEX and EBCIDIC HEX.

 

thanks for all the help

 

Post back if you get stuck.

 

You can always set the MAC address filter also for added security. Extreamly helpful if you use WEP as it can be cracked in 15 min or less.

 

MAC spoofing is even easier to do than cracking WEP.