Question for the computer savvy

Frost · Post by **Frost** » Tue Jul 06, 2010 5:20 pm

I recently had to downgrade the encryption on my in-home wireless network from WPA to WEP. I had to do this so I could get an old wireless adapter to work (so I could make a desktop wireless).

So, should I be worried about using WEP in my little nook of suburbia? I know that WEP has a bad rep, but I'm thinking that as long as I have some encryption up, I'll keep off most would-be freeloaders.
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serleran · Post by **serleran** » Tue Jul 06, 2010 5:38 pm

You can also go into the router settings and allow access to an IP address to a specific MAC address. This would mean they would have to spoof your network card to use the service... not impossible, but most non-hackers won't bother with the effort or won't know what it even is.
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CKDad · Post by **CKDad** » Tue Jul 06, 2010 7:00 pm

WEP can be cracked in minutes. The only fruit hanging lower than you will be people with no security at all.

Restricting by MAC as serleran suggests helps a little, but hardly closes the hole.

Newer network adapters that support WPA shouldn't be too expensive; I suggest snagging one as your finances permit.
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mgtremaine · Post by **mgtremaine** » Tue Jul 06, 2010 7:30 pm

How worried should you be? That depends on what you use the wireless connection for. As was stated WEP is easy to crack for someone who knows what they are doing. The question is would they bother? If you are only worried about someone leeching your wireless connection then you are fine. WEP is better then nothing and keeps most of the pests away. Anyone who wants to leech bad enough to spend the time cracking your encryption just to log in should be welcome to it. Use the MAC address based permit rules to tighten this down.

But if you use wireless as you primary connection and do not also encrypt your POP/IMAP/SMTP and any HTTP transactions that might be sensitive then yes WEP is bad and you should really make sure you use a specific hardwired computer for important things.

Hope that helps...

-Mike