The best WPA to use?
metomeya
New
Okay I have WEP 64-bit encryption setup on my wireless network right now. I know WPA is better but my router seems to give me different options. They are:
1.) WPA Pre-Shared Key
2.) WPA Radius
3.) Radius
4.) WEP
The router is a BEFW11S4 wireless-b router. I have the newest firmware update. It does given an explanation of each, but I don't speak that computer lingo
. Anyways can you guys give a Pro and Con of each one? Thanks! 
1.) WPA Pre-Shared Key
2.) WPA Radius
3.) Radius
4.) WEP
The router is a BEFW11S4 wireless-b router. I have the newest firmware update. It does given an explanation of each, but I don't speak that computer lingo
. Anyways can you guys give a Pro and Con of each one? Thanks! 0
Comments
WPA Pre-Shared Key on my router (Linksys WRT54GS) has two encryption options, TKIP and AES. TKIP stands for Temporal Key Integrity Protocol. TKIP utilizes a stronger encryption method and incorporates Message Integrity Code (MIC) to provide protection against hackers. AES stands for Advanced Encryption System, which utilizes a symmetric 128-Bit block data encryption.
WPA RADIUS uses an external RADIUS server to perform user authentication. To use WPA RADIUS, enter the IP address of your RADIUS server, the RADIUS Port (default is 1812) and the shared secret from the RADIUS server.
RADIUS utilizes either a RADIUS server for authentication or WEP for data encryption. To utilize RADIUS, enter the IP address of the RADIUS server and its shared secret. Select the desired encryption bit (64 or 128) for WEP and enter either a passphrase or a manual WEP key.
There are two levels of WEP encryption, 64-bit and 128-bit. The higher the encryption bit, the more secure your network, however, speed is sacrificed at higher bit levels. To utilize WEP, select the desired encryption bit, and enter a passphrase or a WEP key in hexadecimal format.
Currently, I use WEP, but WPA is the more secure of the two. The FBI recently cracked WEP in 3 minutes, but that doesn't mean some Wardriver is going to be able or inclined to do the same to you. I only use WEP, because 2 of my roommates share my internet connection wirelessly and one has a Win 98 laptop. I haven't been able to get WPA to work with his. Win XP works much better with WPA. You should try WPA Pre-Shared Key which to the user is very similar to WEP. Either RADIUS option requires a RADIUS server to provide a check on each user. For major corporations, this makes sense, but not for the average user.
Just here in my apartment building, I can see 3 other peoples routers: NONE use even WEP, 2 even use the default name, most likely password, and channel. Lastly, I also recommend to maximize security you change your SSID name and disable SSID broadcast, enable MAC addressing, and change to a non-standard wireless channel, admin name, and password. It's very simple to change to WPA see if it works and if not swtich back to WEP.
I hope this helps and feel free to fire any more questions.
Preach