WEP encrypts your data so that no one can read it unless they have the key.
That's the theory behind WEP, anyway. WEP has been a part of Wi-Fi networks.
from the beginning. (The developers of Wi-Fi were initially focused on.
the business market, where data security has always been a big priority.) The.
name itself belies the intentions of the system's developers; they wanted to.
make wireless networks as secure as wired networks.
In order for WEP to work, you must activate WEP on all the Wi-Fi devices in.
your network via the client software or configuration program that came with.
the hardware. And every device on your network must use the same WEP key.
to gain access to the network. (We talk a bit more about how to turn on WEP.
in the "Clamping Down on Your Wireless Home Network's Security- section of.
this chapter.).
For the most part, WEP is WEP is WEP. In other words, it doesn't matter.
which vendor made your access point or which vendor made your laptop's.
PC card network adapter " the implementation of WEP is standardized.
across vendors. Keep this one difference in mind, however: WEP key length.
Encryption keys are categorized by the number of bits (1s or 0s) used to.
create the key. Most Wi-Fi equipment these days uses 128-bit WEP keys, but.
some early gear (like the first generation of the Apple AirPort equipment).
supported only a 64-bit WEP key.
A few access points and network adapters on the market even support longer.
keys, such as equipment from D-Link, which can support a 256-bit key. Keep in.
mind that the longest standard (and common) key is 128 bits. Most equipment.
enables you to decide how long to make your WEP key; you can often choose.
188 Part III: Installing a Wireless Network.
between 64 and 128 bits. Generally, for security purposes, you should pick the.
longest key available. If, however, you have some older gear that can't support.
longer WEP key lengths, you can use a shorter key. If you have one network.
