WEP vs WPA

WEP vs WPA

The best way to secure your wireless network is to change the type of encryption that your computer uses to send data. The three most common choices for encrypting your data are WEP, WPA, and WPA2. This guide describes these different types of encryption so that you can decide which is the best choice for your network.

WEP

WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) was introduced in 1999 and at first, it was thought to be as secure as a wired network. WEP uses a password to create a static encryption key that it then uses to encrypt data sent over the web. This means that the same key is used for all of the information or "packets" you send over the air waves during a session. This static key becomes a big problem with security because a key that doesn't change is much easier to attack than one that is constantly changing. WEP is not a "wired equivalent," as it's name suggests; it can be cracked in less than a minute by a commonplace hacker. Unfortunately, a lot of older routers have WEP as their default choice.

WPA and WPA2

Due to the major inefficiencies of WEP, WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) became available. WPA was the intermediate step between WEP and WPA2 and was not intended to be used indefinitely. WPA uses a type of temporary encryption key that changes with each packet sent over the web. Also, WPA enables your router to automatically reject any packets that it receives out of order. This is good because it prevents hackers from injecting packets onto your network which is one of the primary means of getting in.

In 2006 WPA2 became mandatory in all new Wi-Fi devices. WPA2 replaced WPA's temporary key with a superior government level security encryption. This upgraded encryption uses AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) thought to be uncrackable at this point. WPA2 is considered very secure.

WPA2 Modes

WPA2 has several different versions to choose from:

·   WPA2-Personal is sometimes referred to as WPA-PSK (Wi-Fi Protected Access Pre-Shared Key). With WPA2-Personal, you set up a password in your router which you share with those you want to have access to your network. This password is entered through the computer or device that is connecting to your Wi-Fi network. We recommend this security mode for home networks.

·   WPA2-Enterprise is used for businesses only.

·   WPA/WPA2 Mixed Mode may also be a choice in your particular router. This means your router uses WPA2 if possible but falls back on WPA when needed. Due to WPA2 being a much safer choice, we recommend not using this mode. If you have devices that are not compatible with WPA2, we recommend updating your equipment to better protect yourself against unwanted security attacks.

Both WPA and WPA2 require the use of a strong password, it is recommended that you use a password of at least 20 characters, including symbols and numbers. Check out this guide to learn more about how to create a strong password.

Recommended Wi-Fi Settings

The security of the information you send over the internet should be of top priority. We recommend using WPA2-Personal whenever possible since it has the strongest encryption. WPA should be a far second choice and WEP should not even be considered a choice. If you have a router newer than 2006 you should have a firmware upgrade that allows for WPA2-Personal, which we highly recommend upgrading to. If you have an older router, made before 2006, you may want to consider upgrading your device to a newer one that can be better secured.

Also note, that after changing your router to a different encryption type, you will need to re-configure all of your wireless devices to your network. Devices like wireless printers, phones, music players, gaming consoles, and wireless televisions may need to have their settings changed and be re-connected to you network.

Tukang Ngeblog | October 15, 2016 | blog, Linksys Wireless-G, Remote Video Surveillance, WEP, Wi-Fi, Wired vs. Wireless, Wireless Camera, Wireless CCTV, WPA, WPA-PSK, WPA2, WPA2-AES

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Why Hackers Love Public Wi-Fi

Why Hackers Love Public Wi-Fi

On the occasion of World Wi-Fi day the realisation has become strong that people are easily connected with each other globally. Modernization has brought a lot of changes around the world and now India is getting integrated in this process fast. Indians have come to know the value of Internet; now we can find Wi-Fi installed in each and every house in the metropolitian cities as well as in small towns. Nowadays, we can see free public WI-Fi which is widely and readily available in places like airports, restaurants, coffee shops, libraries etc. We all run for free things as we run for free internet connection as well. As we all know, using free internet connection can be the best way to access online accounts, catch up on work and check emails as well. However, there are many security risks involved which could not be ignored, since you could be an easy target for hackers while placing your information which can be a risk. Online crimes are taking different forms which we have come across and according to The Norton Cybersecurity Insights report has revealed that 77 percent of Indians would feel devastated if their personal financial information were compromised and 52 percent actually have either personal experienced of a credit card fraud or know someone who has. With public Wi-Fi available everywhere, what seems like a convenience can actually put you at a great risk. Free public Wi-Fi is a hacker’s playground for stealing personal information.To avoid becoming one of the victims of Cybercrime, we need to enhance our knowledge regarding Wi-Fi.

Risks of public Wi-Fi and how to stay safe online

Man-in-the-Middle Attack

One of the many dangers of using a public Wi-Fi network is that data over this type of open connection is often not encrypted and unsecured, leaving you vulnerable to a man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack. What is an MITM? It’s when a cybercriminal exploits a security flaw in the network to intercept data. Essentially, this gives a hacker access to sniff out any information that passes between you and the websites you visit — details of browsing activities, account logins and purchase transactions. Your sensitive information, such as passwords and financial data, are then vulnerable to identity theft.

Rogue Hotspots

Another risk of using free public Wi-Fi is that you may be connecting via a rogue hotspot. This is an open hotspot, usually with a name similar to that of a legitimate hotspot, which cyber criminals set up to lure people into connecting to their network. Once a victim connects to the rogue Wi-Fi hotspot, the host hacker can then intercept data and even use tools to inject malware into the connected devices.

Better Wi-Fi Security Habits to Stay Safe from Cybercrime

Did you know that 66percent of consumers in India think that using public Wi-Fi is riskier than using a public restroom? Yet, while the Norton Cyber security Insights Report revealed that people are aware of the risks of public Wi-Fi, the survey also showed that people are not practising safe security habits online.

How Norton helps you make it harder for cyber criminals to steal your information on public Wi-Fi:

§   Avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi. If you must use a public Wi-Fi hotspot, also use a virtual private network (VPN) to secure your connection.

§  Don’t log in to password-protected websites that contain sensitive information when using a public Wi-Fi connection — for example, banking and social networking sites, or even email.

§  Keep your software patched and up to date on all your devices — even your mobile ones — to avoid any potential infections by viruses or malware if you do use unsecured public Wi-Fi.

   §   One More Security Habit: Use a Virtual Private Network

   §   A VPN creates a “secure tunnel” where data sent over a Wi-Fi connection is encrypted, making all that data sent to and from your device secure. Using a VPN is a safe Wi-Fi security habit that can protect you when connecting to the Internet on the go.

Tukang Ngeblog | May 07, 2016 | blog, Cybercrime, Cybersecurity, Hotspot, MITM, Popular Surveillance Cameras Open to Hackers, Rogue Hotspots, VPN, wi fi, Wi-Fi

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