The choices for the WEP password are Hex or Ascii. I run 64 bit WEP to an IBM laptop with a 802.11 A/B/G card, and I haven't had a problem.
The security level of WEP is not really in dispute, however WEP will prevent a casual user from using your network.
When evaluating security, keep in mind who the guy who wants to read the information is. Once you understand that, you realize that 99.8% of time WEP is adequate, the problem is for the remaining .2%, there probably is nothing that is adequate.
As to whether someone can get into a WEP network in 1-2 minutes, unless there is a lot of traffic on the network, the answer is no they cannot. You have to be able to see enough of the data, and know what it should be, in order to recover the key.
The result is that in theory 256 bit encryption is more secure than 128 bit, which is more secure than 64 bit. The reality is that anyone who can easily crack 64 bit, probably has the hardware resources to crack 128 and 256 bit.
Security also depends upon the type of threat you need protection from. The most reliable way to keep unauthorized people off a wireless network is MAC authentication. unless the MAC address matches the list, the network is closed. That does not protect any of the data being transmitted on the network however.
Encryption keeps people out, and provides some degree of protection for the data.
"The most reliable way to keep unauthorized people off a wireless network is MAC authentication."
* In short: You are stopping people from connecting to your network by accident, but there is no way that will stop people from getting onto the network on purpose.*
Long version:
#1 Yah, right!
It is not fool proof.
At http://computer.howstuffworks.com/wireless-network3.htm
where it says that "The system isn't foolproof." Read, what it says..
And let me tell you that, MAC Addresses are always sent in the clear regardless of the Encryption used - Hint, hint.
That is according to the source of that info at http://www.grc.com/securitynow.htm
Episode #146 | 29 May 2008 | 90 min.
Listener Feedback #42
Also found in other Episode(s), if you read/listen to what Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte have to say..
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This does not mean you can not use MAC authentication, just beware of the truth!
I'd be more than happy to call you and get this issue resolved once and for all. Please PM me your # and best time to call you. Please keep in mind that the best way I can help is to directly connect to the Router temporary so that we can make some changes and see what happens
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