4 Things To Think About If You Must Use WEP

Okay, if you've read my previous posts, know how to use WPA to secure your wireless network. For some, this will not be an option. If you absolutely must use WEP, let me give you a few things to keep in mind.

#1) Use the longest password possible. At least 128 bit. This won't buy you much security, but it will mean that someone looking to crack your password will have to sniff more traffic. This means they have to be connected for a longer period of time before being able to discover your password.

#2) Disconnect the devices connected to your wireless network when they aren't in use. If you have a computer that you leave on all the time, it is constantly "checking in" with your access point. This conversational traffic is exactly what a malicious person needs in order to collect the right information to crack your password. If you are like me, you don't like powering down your equipment every day. In this case, just access your wireless configuration on your laptop and disable the connection. When you are ready to use it again, just enable it. Easy.

#3) Use a firewall. If you don't know what this is or how to configure it, don't worry. There are lots of resources available on the 'net. I may also do a basic writeup on it if there is interest. Basically, you want to keep your wireless network separate from the rest of your home network that has your other computers on it. If someone were to access your wireless network, you don't want them getting to your internal resources.

#4) Be smart about the type of data that you transfer over your wireless network. Assume that some stranger is going to get a copy of it and ask yourself if it is something that needs to be more private. Is it something that you would write on a postcard and send through the post office? If so, it's probably okay for use on your wireless network.