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  1. I am going to need to set up a wireless network in my home within the next couple weeks. However, i've looked at the settings, and i know how to enable the wifi, but i don't know what the best options/settings to use are.

    *I want to use encryption for safety reasons, and I need to use WEP encryption (as opposed to WPA) for compatibility purposes.


    Here is an image of my settings input screen. I need advise as to what to change the settings to. More specifically...

    **Should I use a 64, 128, or 256 bit code? what does this mean? what would a 10 digit code be considered?
    **Authentication: Open, Shared, Both. What does this setting mean? What should I set it to?
    **Why is there an input option for 4 codes? I thought I only needed one...

    edit: I found out the differences are between 64, 128, & 256bit codes. basically its how many digits. a 10 digit code would be 64bit.
    I still dont know what the Authentication setting means, or why there's an input for four different codes...
    asdf
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  2. Greetings Supreme2k's Avatar
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    Security Encryption (WEP)

    Authentication Type

    Normally this can be left at the default value of "Automatic." If that fails, select the appropriate value - "Open System" or "Shared Key." Check your wireless card's documentation to see what method to use

    You should use at least 128-bit.
    You only need one.
    If your router doesn't have a utility to do it, you can change a passphrase to hex here
    ex. videohelp = E17599CF384BCD97273428665A
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  3. What is the difference between the options "Open System" and "Shared Key" ?
    note: It also has an option for "both"

    I've looked in the manual for my DSL modem (which has a built in wireless router), and it doesn't say anything about how to set the Authentication Type. It just says how to enable wireless and to use a 64bit WEP key.
    I'd like to know what Authentication Type means, so that I could know which setting to use...
    asdf
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  4. Greetings Supreme2k's Avatar
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    Check my sig
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  5. lol. yeah i've looked it up and cant really find much info on it. i figured somebody on here would be knowledgeable on such things. hmmmm......

    i guess i'll continue searching.
    asdf
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  6. Member
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    Use 128 bit for compatibility.
    For authentication use Open.
    Fill up the 1st key.
    Save the changes

    Choose a word for key generator. For this example let’s use the same word chosen by Supreme2k in his original post.

    Let’s use the word videohelp.

    Go to the link http://www.powerdog.com/wepkey.cgi and write videohelp in the space and then click on the Generate keys button.

    It will generate 1 keys: E17599CF384BCD97273428665A

    Write this hex number in the Key 1 of your router.

    Save the changes and power cycle your router.

    Then for configuring the network card in your PC to use WEP, open authentication type, and type the same Key your wrote in the router (E17599CF384BCD97273428665A).
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  7. thanks for the advice. is 128bit WEP more safe than 64bit WEP? I believe I read somewhere that it's actually not any safer because somebody who is knowledgeable of hacking into networks would find a different weakness. or something like that.
    Also, is 128bit really as compatible as 64bit? The instructions sheet that came with my router suggests using 64bit WEP.

    I would like to, if i can, use a WEP key that I can remember, to make it easier to add new devices. However, this is not a necessary step.

    This is a site that I found containing a lot of wi-fi configuration information

    ... also, i heard that using a higher bit WEP key could have a slow-down effect on your connection, because it requires more power to encrypt and decrypt all information being sent. Seeing as how I am setting up this network for a handheld device, i dont want to use a higher bit if it can have such an effect on the CPU, and/or my connection.
    asdf
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  8. Member
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    WEP 128 is standard. Some older routers and network cards may show a performance hit, but all new gear is not affected by this. Also cracking a 64 bit key is faster and easier than cracking a 128 bit key. On the performance hit you should perform your own test with both key lengths but I do not think that you will see any performance degradation.

    You should remember the phrase/word needed to generate the key, not the key.

    Usually you should peak a phrase that has over 8 alphanumeric characters, at least one number and a symbol. If you like to make it stronger do not use vocals and do not repeat character in the sequence.

    For example this one: This is my 1st. WiFi lan
    This will generate the following key: F7D8C2654DE58466E62670F517

    If you remove the spaces you will obtain something totally different: Thisismy1st.WiFilan
    Key: B2AA22AEB745FDFFF2ED0F7139

    If you leave the spaces but remove the dot: This is my 1st WiFi lan
    Key: BC2471E32AA1CFFFAA7587B607

    No vocals no spaces: Thssm1st.WFln
    Key: 823EA7207F924AF0642CE33BAE

    Just a sequence of characters/numbers/symbols: c2r7-98$@
    Key: 00B71D789A12A5B9E59179C8FE

    Is up to you choosing what to use.
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  9. Member shelbyGT's Avatar
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    As long as it is protected, I doubt too many people spend time trying to hack into it honestly.
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