WPA Vs. WEP

SuperHans

I'm using eircom wireless broadband and have heard that WPA encryption is more secure than WEP.
I have tried to change to WPA by configuring the settings on my computer, but have only managed to block myself from accessing the net so far.
Anyone have any links or advice on how to do this in relatively simple terms?
I have tried the microsoft site, but that hasn't helped much. I'm using a Netopia router if that helps.
Cheers

joePC

The WPA setup on the Netopia box is straight forward, just use the advanced options, Whats the wireless card / software your using on your PC????

WPA is more secure than WEP.

WUSBDesign

And do make sure you use a long passphrase for the WPA settings.....50+ characters.

SuperHans

joePC wrote:

The WPA setup on the Netopia box is straight forward, just use the advanced options, Whats the wireless card / software your using on your PC????

WPA is more secure than WEP.

It's an Intel Centrino wireless card (Intel(R) PRO/Wireless LAN 2100 3A), which is built into my laptop.
You say it's straightforward, but as I said, I didn't have any success the last time I did it. I went into my wireless network settings and tried to do a couple of things there, but no joy.
When I change from wep to wpa in the drop down menu and click OK, an exclamtion mark in a yellow triangle appears and I can't use the net. I'm not able to input a new password anywhere.

joePC

"When I change from wep to wpa in the drop down menu and click OK"
If your doing this on the Netopia box, then there is an option for advanced / options etc.. So you enter in the paraphase 50+ characters then you do the same on your Windows box.

astrofool

Some devices (eg exbox 360) don't support, or can't see WPA2, there's usually an option to drop back to WPA1 (there is on the eircom netopia router I have anyway).

tuxy

Ya wpa is alot more secure,most wep keys can be cracked in under 1 hour.
Make sure you use a long phrase. Here's a site that will generate a secure 63 caracter key for you to use.
http://www.kurtm.net/wpa-pskgen/

dub45

SuperHans wrote:

I'm using eircom wireless broadband and have heard that WPA encryption is more secure than WEP.
I have tried to change to WPA by configuring the settings on my computer, but have only managed to block myself from accessing the net so far.
Anyone have any links or advice on how to do this in relatively simple terms?
I have tried the microsoft site, but that hasn't helped much. I'm using a Netopia router if that helps.
Cheers

First things first - the most basic step is to change the type of wireless security to WPA in the netopia - have you done this?

You should not really have to change anything other than the password on your laptop.

When you have setup the netopia with the wpa option chosen and your new password - save those settings reboot and your laptop should then see the wireless network.

When you attempt to join it you will be asked for the password - enter it and your laptop should be connected.

mathias

Make sure you use a long phrase. Here's a site that will generate a secure 63 caracter key for you to use.

Now correct me if im wrong here , but using a website to generate a passkey for you is asking for it , surely it reduces your security to zero , :eek:

There would then be a website who potentially knows your IP and your passkey !! And what would a website do with that info ......the mind boggles !!

tuxy

Well check the code on the page to see if they keep that info.

mathias

Regardless .........generate your own key and keep in secret for the best security , it does not make sense to have a public web page make it for you.

dub45

Do you really expect the website to come and sit outside your house and use your wireless network?

azzeretti

tuxy wrote:

Well check the code on the page to see if they keep that info.

I'm just curious how you can check the code of a asp or jsp page via a browser?

dub45

Of what relevance is it to any of these websites what password someone is using for their wireless network? Why would they want to keep it?

bertisevil

Just as a side note for anyone using the eircom wireless routers, it's possoble to break the encryption and hence use your modem in about ~5-10 minutes. Very poor implementaion of WEP

Also I've noticed that wireless is enabled my default i nalot of the netopia routers that eircom have recently sent out, so if you don't use it, turn it off.

NutJob

This still going?

See: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055074662

tuxy

bertisevil wrote:

Just as a side note for anyone using the eircom wireless routers, it's possoble to break the encryption and hence use your modem in about ~5-10 minutes. Very poor implementaion of WEP

What!! you mean wep isn't secure? You would think someone would have mentioned that in this thread already.
More like 30 mins though.

bertisevil

tuxy wrote:

What!! you mean wep isn't secure? You would think someone would have mentioned that in this thread already.
More like 30 mins though.

Na it's definietly doable in about 10 minutes with eircom routers, those cheapss things don't even filter weak packets, making it easier and easier. Any kind of decent modem will at least filter the weak packets, increasing time requred to a few hours.

Of course lots of variable such as distance, quality of signal etc...

but anyways the pont is that it's incrediably easy to do. WEP is the equivelant of using no encryption imo

JohnnieM

SuperHans wrote:

It's an Intel Centrino wireless card (Intel(R) PRO/Wireless LAN 2100 3A), which is built into my laptop.
You say it's straightforward, but as I said, I didn't have any success the last time I did it. I went into my wireless network settings and tried to do a couple of things there, but no joy.
When I change from wep to wpa in the drop down menu and click OK, an exclamtion mark in a yellow triangle appears and I can't use the net. I'm not able to input a new password anywhere.

Are you on windows xp service pack 2..?

tuxy

bertisevil wrote:

Na it's definietly doable in about 10 minutes with eircom routers, those cheapss things don't even filter weak packets, making it easier and easier. Any kind of decent modem will at least filter the weak packets, increasing time requred to a few hours.

Looks like it's doable in under 10 mins now.
I only just found out about this
http://www.cdc.informatik.tu-darmstadt.de/aircrack-ptw/
:eek: :eek:

Little-Devil

I use WEP but i have WPA is the more secure. I just looking on my Netopia there are to options for WPA secure which are WPA-802.1x and WAP-PSK. Is there one i should select if i chose and if not whats the difference between the too ?

tuxy

WPA-802.1x is the most secure but there is a lot of setup involved. It's ment for businesses really.

WPA-PSK is the best option for home users and is easy to setup.

Just use WPA-PSK and a 63 characters key and you will be way more secure then you currently are with WEP.
If there is anything else you don't understand just ask. But it's about as easy as WEP to setup.

tuxy

Here's a good podcast about wifi security
http://media.grc.com/sn/SN-013.mp3

Skip to about 8:45 into it.

hottstuff

Its funny , if you ask eircom about wep security , they will tell you its secure and not to worry.

dub45

hottstuff wrote:

Its funny , if you ask eircom about wep security , they will tell you its secure and not to worry.

Well strictly speaking they are correct - the average person wont be able to break it.

However I think we expect far too much from isps in general - surely it is not beyond anyone to do a bit of reading up or research on these matters?

Even without buying a computer book or magazine there is an incredible amount of information available for free on the net.

If you buy a new door for your house the seller will not give you advice on locks? If you buy a new car no one expects driving lessons!

Why is it a given that people expect so much for a relatively cheap product?

aidan_walsh

dub45 wrote:

If you buy a new door for your house the seller will not give you advice on locks? If you buy a new car no one expects driving lessons!

Hurray for bad analogies.

hottstuff

aidan_walsh wrote:

Hurray for bad analogies.

Ditto.

tuxy

#Elites wrote:

a quick google search can get you a free program that breaks WEP keys almost instanly..illegal of course, and you can get in a lot of trouble if caught!

that said, i use WEP on my network..never really get around to changing it lol.

Aircrack right?
You still need a good few clients connected or have a card that can inject packets to crack it in under 5 mins.

NotMe

I use WEP. If one of the neighbours wants to break my WEP key and use my net then fair play to them...

tuxy

NotMe wrote:

I use WEP. If one of the neighbours wants to break my WEP key and use my net then fair play to them...

And spy on everything you do?