Enabling WEP w/ different brands of wireless gear?

deltaf508 · September 29th, 2003, 02:26 PM

I just got a wireless setup going and am trying to research security stuff associated with it. I have a D-Link Router and a D-Link card for my lappy. But I've been wondering what happens if I buy another card for another machine somewhere. Does it have to be a D-Link for all my encryption stuff to work properly??

I've been reading this article on Network Security that has been posted here before and it really is scary. Their statistics show that only like 30 - 40% of all business wireless networks have WEP enabled!! This seems crazy! So I'm wondering why, and maybe it's because everyones using different network cards that aren't compatible with the encryption on the router. Does it work this way?

Seems to me they would make a way for all these different brands to have encryption that works cross-platform with other vendors and such.

Do I have the right idea on what is going on?

Gary

dezz · September 29th, 2003, 02:37 PM

Hi there.... any other type of wireless card you buy should be fine for your WEP. The only reason that the statistics on large corporations (or anybody for that matter) in not enabling WEP is really, and unfortunately because they are lazy. They like the plug and play compatabilty and like the fact that it works basically right out of the box. Also its the (I'll get to it later) mentality. It's not that it is hard, it is just a couple of settings.
Hope this is what you were looking for, If you need more help, let me know and i will see what I can do.

Dezz

John Prophet · September 29th, 2003, 02:41 PM

I dont know the answer to the question..but as far as wondering about why a large % of businesses dont use WEP etc...I seriously doubt its because of any WEP configuration problems.

Computers are STILL relatively new compared to things like cars and tv's.

So...

People are intimidated by them
People just dont know about stuff like security.
People think a firewall comes with XP so that should be enough.

etc etc.

If you think its scary about the WEP not being on....I wonder what the stats are for how many businesses dont use Antivirus???

How many dont do ANY backups?

Comps are still new and it'll take a while for the average user to com eup to any sort of competance and that includes business. Just because a guy makes a mil a year doing real estate, or running a concrete business or a rental office doesnt mean he is going to be a natural tech wizard or even that he is overly intelligent, lol.

A lot of it is the fact that because of the numbers of users etc...the chance on any individual getting hacked etc is fairly low..so people usually dont worry till its too late. (see also--backups)

So mostly people use "security by obscurity"..lol...hoping that the odds will protect them.

My hunch would be that WEP is WEP no matter what brand you have.

JP

**GroundZero3** · September 29th, 2003, 07:17 PM

As long as both hardware is WIFI certified you should be good to go on the WEP. Now there is something coming out that is new called WAP which newer wireless technology will have to take advantage of to be able to be sold on the market.

John is correct, but another thing is companies’ tries to make wireless configuration as easy as possible. Since wireless is getting really cheap people are jumping on the bandwagon because they are not limited by wires anymore. Unfortunately a lot of businesses who buy them think plugging them in and it works. And that’s it.... Sadly it’s not the truth as you can see from this thread

Wireless network Heads up

the bottom line is we have people buying hardware installing it, and not reading the warnings or the manual all the way. all they care about is getting working

deltaf508 · September 29th, 2003, 08:25 PM

So let me get this straight. WEP will work on both sides (router & client) as long as both have the same SSID and WEP key & encryption setting (64/128/256). That seems crazy that companies are just too lazy to implement it. I've been hearing a lot about "hot spots" around town and I must admit I am curious as to if I drive around town with my lappy running Netstumbler what I'll be able to find.

I'm really enjoying this wireless stuff but also think it has a long way to go before the public will really begin to trust it like CAT5.

Thanks for all the responses,

Gary

**GroundZero3** · September 29th, 2003, 08:29 PM

not lazy, just not educated about wireless security in most cases

i drive around town all the time with netstumbler. (you have to have the right chipset to use it) If your card supports it you will be amazed how many open AP there is. Plus with all these wireless routers and access points, most people dont even change the default password

deltaf508 · September 29th, 2003, 08:33 PM

what do you mean the right chipset?

I ran netstumbler at my house and it picked up my wireless connection so I assume that it will work with others in my area. Right?

Gary