WEP vs WPA or WPA2 ?

ocean25

We recently had FiOS service installed and I asked the installer to use the strongest method

of encryption. (I thought that it was WPA2?). We have the Actiontec model WR.

My son recently noticed that it is WEP. What does everyone think about the differences of subject?

Thanks in advance!

Accepted answers

UnnDunn

The easiest way to check is simply to switch to WPA2 (Verizon In-Home Agent can do this for you) and see what works and what doesn't. Anything with a "Wi-Fi" brand on it should work fine.

If some devices do not work, you can use In-Home Agent to switch back to WEP.

It is highly advisable to be using WPA2 if you are at all concerned about this sort of thing. WEP has been compromised, and it is easy for any mildly-determined attacker to gain access to a WEP encrypted network in a matter of seconds. WPA-TKIP also has vulnerabilities, but it is somewhat more difficult to attack (it takes several minutes.) WPA2 currently has no known vulnerabilities.

All comments

lasagna

They are differing security standards of various levels of capability. You should use the one which has the highest level of security supported by all of your devices in the order: WPA2, WPA, WEP 128, WEP 64.

If you can support WPA2 on all your devices, by all means you should be using it.

ocean25

"If you can support WPA2 on all your devices, by all means you should be using it."

I'd have to check all wireless devices, but I presume they would if fairly recent production?

How would you check (i.e. Nook, laptops, etc)?

UnnDunn

The easiest way to check is simply to switch to WPA2 (Verizon In-Home Agent can do this for you) and see what works and what doesn't. Anything with a "Wi-Fi" brand on it should work fine.

If some devices do not work, you can use In-Home Agent to switch back to WEP.

Manatees

If you have the time and know-how, MAC Authentication is an extra layer of security. Basically, you are only allowing your devices' MAC addresses to access your router.