WEP Keys

[clkanski]

I have a basic wireless network in my house, consisting of a DSL modem with wireless AP built in, 2 notebooks, and one desktop. The notebooks have 802.11G cards in them, and the desktop has a 100Mb connection.

I wanted to enable WEP to keep my neighbor's off my network. So, I enabled WEP. Do both notebooks have to have the same WEP key? Or can they be seperate? The modem has 4 available, but unless I'm misssing something, only one is active at a time. Does this seem right? Or should each notebook be able to have its own WEP key?

For instance:

Notebook 1: Key 1 (012...)

Notebook 2: Key 2 (abc...)

or

Notebook 1: Key 1 (012...)

Notebook 2: Key 1 (012...)

Which is correct? Can they both be set up? 128 bit encription.... in case it matters...

[Redhat]

Just need one key for the whole lot, but if your Wireless Access Point has it, use WPA instead :)

[clkanski]

Thanks for the clarification. So, what are the other 3 for? To turn certain client's service on and off "on demand"?

[Redhat]

I believe, and someone will correct me if I'm wrong, that you can just have 4 working keys that access the network. There are such things as broadcast rotation that periodically switch keys throughout the assigned keys, to increase security if someone is trying to crack one of the keys.

[scuzzman]

I believe, and someone will correct me if I'm wrong, that you can just have 4 working keys that access the network. There are such things as broadcast rotation that periodically switch keys throughout the assigned keys, to increase security if someone is trying to crack one of the keys.

Bingo.

[expertec]

Just need one key for the whole lot, but if your Wireless Access Point has it, use WPA instead  :)

Why?

What is WPA, or WPA-PSK?

And if you do use it, what are "RADIUS Server IP", "RADIUS port" and "RADIUS Shared Key"?

[scuzzman]

There is a very good overview of WPA here:

http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-6265-5060773.html#

In general, it's more secure than WEP as it requires a lot more to break the encryption, and is in fact easier to use.

I'm going to research that RADIUS stuff a little more, as I don't know much about it.

[scuzzman]

OK - here we go.

This is from http://www.gnu.org/software/radius/radius.html

Radius is a server for remote user authentication and accounting. Its primary use is for Internet Service Providers, though it may as well be used on any network that needs a centralized authentication and/or accounting service for its workstations.

The package includes an authentication and accounting server and some administrator tools.

[Redhat]

Just need one key for the whole lot, but if your Wireless Access Point has it, use WPA instead  :)

Why?

What is WPA, or WPA-PSK?

And if you do use it, what are "RADIUS Server IP", "RADIUS port" and "RADIUS Shared Key"?

Radius (Remote authentication dial-in user service) is just a mechanism that allows authentication of dial-in and other network connections. The RADIUS server is managed centrally, so if it goes down, no-one can log in.

WPA has been proved to be more secure than either 64, 128 or 256 bit WEP. No point in going into the cryptography of it, as that bores most people! (Sadly doesn't bore my Security+ examiner!) But the most secure form of encryption on most newer home user WAP's is WPA-AES. WPA-TKIP is OK, but AES slightly gets it in my opinion.

[expertec]

You doing Security+? Who with?

I'm doing A+ at the moment (passed the core hardware exam last week, will do the OS one in not to long a time), and interested in Network+ as well...

Anyway, back on topic: I think I should set up WPA on this wireless network (currently unsecured :ninja:), but I don't know what to do.

What to use as keys? What to do on the computer with the wireless, and on the router?

:unsure:

clkanski, sorry for hijacking your thread like this :rolleyes:

[scuzzman]

Man, even the mods dont read the stickies :)

Basically, in your router config, there will be a security section. You need to set it to use WPA (router-specific but should be self-explanatory) and it will have a prompt for a key. Enter a key.

Then, on the wireless computer, go to Network Connections. Right-click your wireless connection and select "View available wireless networks". Select your network, and enter the key for which you are prompted, and click Connect.

[Redhat]

For WPA you either need SP2 or the WPA patch from microsoft.com.

I'll PM you re: Security + .

[Vasichko]

Wow, I always had a question of converting my laptop to WPA. I guess Im gonna go grab that patch!!!