Wired Equivalent Privacy
This topic describes the WEP protocol, including its purpose, its evolution, and the weaknesses that have limited its effectiveness as a standalone WLAN security protocol.
The 802.11 standard defines a type of security: WEP using 40-bit keys. WEP is based on a stream cipher called RC4. The RC4 method allows encryption up to 128 bits; however, IEEE 802.11 has chosen to use 40-bit keys.
WEP requires a wireless client and an access point to compare static 40-bit keys during the authentication process. If the client WEP key does not match the key of the access point, the client is not allowed to associate and cannot connect to the network.
The 802.11 standard provides two schemes for defining the WEP keys to be used on a WLAN. With the first scheme, as many as four default keys are shared by all stations (clients and access points) in a wireless subsystem. When a client obtains the default keys, that client can communicate securely with all other stations in the subsystem. (Cisco Systems uses this method.) Be aware that when default keys are widely distributed, they are more likely to be compromised. In the second scheme, each client establishes a "key mapping" relationship with another station. This method is more secure because fewer stations have the keys. However, distributing such unicast keys becomes more difficult as the number of stations increases.
Securing LAN and WLAN Devices
Continue reading here: Shared Key Authentication
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