Belkin ME1001-USB User Manual - Page 19

Using the MyEssentials Wireless Networking Utility section Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) is a less secure, but more widely adopted wireless security protocol. Depending on the security 1 level (64- or 128-bit), the user will be asked to input a 10- or 26-character hex key. A hex key is a combination of letters, a-f, and 2 numbers, 0-9. Wireless Protected Access (WPA) is the new standard in the 3 wireless security. However, not all wireless cards and adapters support this technology. Please check your wireless adapter's user manual to check if it supports WPA. Instead of a hex key, WPA uses only 4 passphrases, which are much easier to remember. 5 The following section, intended for the home, home office, and small office user, presents a few different ways to maximize the security of your wireless network. 6 At the time of publication, four encryption methods are available: Encryption Methods: Name Acronym Security Features 64-Bit Wired Equivalent Privacy 64-bit WEP Good Static keys Encryption keys based on RC4 algorithm (typically 40-bit keys) 128-Bit Wired Equivalent Privacy Wi-Fi Protected Access-TKIP Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 128-bit WEP WPA-TKIP/ AES (or just WPA2-AES (or just WPA2) Better Best Best Static keys Dynamic key encryption and mutual authentication Dynamic key encryption and mutual authentication More secure than TKIP 64-bit WEP using (Temporal a key length of Key Integrity 104 bits plus Protocol) 24 additional added so bits of system- that keys are generated data rotated and encryption is strengthened AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) does not cause any throughput loss Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) WEP is a common protocol that adds security to all Wi-Fi-compliant wireless products. WEP gives wireless networks the equivalent level of privacy protection as a comparable wired network. 17