WEP Security, question regarding keys

[dcbullet]

I have a Linksys wrt54g. I have set up WEP security. There are 4 keys. I can select one of the 4 keys as the "Default Transmit Key." The selected key is the only key I can use to connect to the internet with a laptop.

What is the purpose of the 4 keys if you can only use one?

Fair warning, I may have no idea what I'm talking about.

[direwolf-pgh]

You can set from 1 to 4 keys.

When you are setting more than one WEP key, the WEP key for transmission (defult) must be assigned to the same WEP key number for all devices that are to recieve the message. The header of the message contains the key number to be used for translating the message.

The 802.11 standard allows for key roll-over where the access point and stations agree on a method of transitioning to a new key and rotating between the 4 keys. This is usually not implemented.

bottom line... your router is set to use the first key first.

[dcbullet]

I barely understand the concept but I see what I need to do.

Thanks.

[DanielG]

WEP security isn't really all that secure. If somebody was nearby and wanted to use your internet connection it would be quite easy for them to crack your WEP key.

I'm pretty sure your router uses WPA-PSK/TKP encryption? If so, I would recommend using that over WEP. Particularly if you live in an apartment building with lots of people living close by.

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In the Linksys WRT54G router you will find the wireless security options under Wireless > Wireless Security. This page allows you to set wireless encryption options.

1. Like in the example above set Security Mode to WPA Pre-Shared Key.
2. Set the WPA alghoritm to TKIP.
3. Type a key in the WPA Shared Key field with a length between 8 and 32 characters. Remember that a longer key is more secure. Besides that, a key that is made up of random characters is harder to crack than a key that contains real words, because real words can be guessed far easier.
4. Write down the key or copy-paste to a text file, because you will need it later to connect to the network.
5. Click Save Settings
http://www.tekstenuitleg.net/en/articles/networking/wireless-security-guide/configure-wpa.html
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