Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with WEP

photonotsosmart

cestmoi15 — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:40:21 -0800

HP Photosmart won't play nice with Apple airport express. Help? I can't get my HP Photosmart 4680 printer to connect to my wifi. I'm using an apple airport express (about 8 years old). The HP asks for the internet security code, then says it is trying to detect settings, then says the detection failed.

I was putting in the same code that I use as a password for the system on apple products which did not work.

I then tried to google fix it, so I know it should be a WEP code, which the internets tell me I should enter $ before the code. This does not help.

Printer sharing is enabled, not running firewalls other than what is on the MacBooks.

Ideas?

Stupid WiFi security snafu I'm wasting my question on this week.

allkindsoftime — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 08:28:52 -0800

Home WiFi network security-filter. I set up my security using WPA and now my home computer won't connect to the network. Please talk to the moron in small words. It's your basic D-Link wireless routher, and I'm connected and surfing freely via my work laptop that I'm typing from. When I bring up the wireless connection it says its WPA2.

Home computer (running Windows XP 2002 service pack 1) can see the network but won't connect. When I bring up the connection window it says "This wireless network requires the use of a network key (WEP)." Problem is I didn't enable WEP, only WPA. When I go to the network properties it only gives me the WEP options (checkboxes for Data encryption, Network authentication) - still nothing WPA related.

Is this an issue with my version of windows? If so, is there a way around it? If not, any other ideas?

Help me lower this time capsule into the ground...

roombythelake — Thu, 22 May 2008 23:24:50 -0800

Time capsule/Mac trouble--help me start backing up my data with a minimum of muss/fuss! Hi folks. I'm using a Macbook (new last fall) and I've just bought Leopard and a Time Capsule to use for backing up my data (after a catastrophic crash--PSA, MeFites, please PLEASE back up your data!!!). Here's the catch: I'm renting a room in a house, and so obviously I can't use the Time Capsule as the primary router. Time Capsule claims it can work through the existing network, which would be great for me even though it would be slower than if it were the network's primary router.

The problem is that while going through my set-up process for Time Capsule it does not recognize my Time Capsule again after I input my preferences. (This guy had exactly the same problem--check out his description to see my problem...) Anyway, the error message reads thusly:

"AirPort Utility was unable to find your Apple wireless device after restarting. The settings for this Apple wireless device have been successfully updated, but there was a problem rejoining the wireless network or finding the Apple wireless device. You may need to select your network from the AirPort menu and try again."

After doing some research, one possible reason for this seems to be that my landlady's wireless network uses WEP security, whereas apparently WPA security is now recommended, and runs much more smoothly with external devices. Most of the Time Capsule suggestions, then, involve changing the network from WEP to WPA but that doesn't help me--as a lowly renter, I don't want to mess around with their computer or their network setup.

Can anyone confirm or deny that this WEP/WPA stuff might be my problem, or suggest a workaround fix that would get me connected without tinkering with the network itself?

Failing that, can I can just connect my Time Capsule via USB cable when I'm at my desk and back up with Time Machine that way? (I say USB because I've got one sitting here in front of me--I don't want to shell out for an ethernet cable unless that's required...)

And if I did, will I then be able to switch back and forth seamlessly between usb and wireless connections as need be after I move out of here in two months?

Thanks in advance!

What's my rating on the Wi-Fi pW/\/4g30m3t3R?

Anonymous — Mon, 19 May 2008 07:37:55 -0800

How secure is my wireless network? I'm running 128-bit WEP because the wireless cards for my PDAs don't support WPA/WPA2. I'm using MAC filtering, a time access restriction policy on the access point and my SSID broadcast is off. The range of the router isn't that great so you have to be in my building to pick it up (assuming you know the SSID).

The reason I'm running WEP (shame, shame!) is because I have some older PDAs that don't support WPA/WPA2 (PPC2003s with Spectec SDW-820s). Should I just eat it and upgrade my equipment to something that supports WPA?

Connecting game consoles to wireless network with WPA security?

de void — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 08:49:08 -0800

Help me get my wireless console gaming groove back on after a change from WEP to WPA security (and help me understand the difference between a wireless ethernet bridge and wireless access point). My wireless router and cable modem are in the office. My Xbox, Xbox 360 and PS2 are in the living room, connected to a video switch that also switches their ethernet connection to a Linksys WGA54G wireless ethernet bridge, which then connected wirelessly to the router.

(Note that the video/ethernet switch is literally a *switch*. When one device input is selected, only the ethernet for that device is connected to the wireless bridge).

Previously, my wireless router used 128 bit WEP for wireless security. I've had to change over to WPA for another wireless device on my network.

Unfortunately, the Linksys WGA54G bridge doesn't support WPA. There appears to be only *one* wireless bridge currently available that supports WPA, the Linksys WET54G. It retails around $90.

I've noticed that there are several wireless access point devices in that price range. Can I use an access point instead of a bridge to connect my game consoles to my router? What would I need to change with my setup? Any pros or cons to an access point instead of a bridge?

Two wireless networks, one connection. How?

phaded — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:16:54 -0800

Is there a way to set up a second wireless network using my current internet connection? I have a Nintendo DS. I would love to take said Nintendo DS online. However, there's a problem: my wireless network uses WPA, and the DS doesn't support that; it only does WEP. From what I've gathered, this is because the DS only supports 802.11b, and 802.11b doesn't support WPA. Whatever the case, it's annoying, so I need to look into other solutions.

A friend of mine lent me Nintendo's Wi-Fi USB connector, but I haven't been able to get that to reliably work. What I'd like to do is create a pseudo-wireless network that I could use just for getting my DS online. I'd like to do so without compromising the security on my current wireless network. What's the best way to do this?

I may just give up on Linux if I can't get this to work.

aherdofturtles — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 05:28:17 -0800

Getting linux (Ubuntu) to love my windows wireless settings. I recently installed Ubuntu on my XP box (dual boot, hard drive partitions).

It loads up satisfactory - by this, I mean it screams "Cannot Display This Video Mode," loads up in a crappy resolution - a situation that requires me to go online to download some video card drivers...

Therein lies the problem. For some reason, ubuntu out of the box doesn't work with WPA. My XP, on the other hand, doesn't work well with WEP (a bit like this XP box).

So... I'm stuck.

Is there another solution other than switching off WPA & WEP, booting up Ubuntu, downloading all drivers etc, then rebooting back and hoping WPA works? Or am I missing a simple step here.

Wii Wi-Fi via Airport Extreme?

pzarquon — Thu, 24 May 2007 17:39:03 -0800

How can I get my Wii online via my Airport Extreme? Finally got a Wii. Love that it's got built-in Wi-Fi. But I can't get it to connect to my Apple Airport Extreme base station.

There are forum posts scattered across several gaming sites, but they have different solutions, and none of them are particularly attractive. The most common "solution" seems to be using WEP (not WPA/WPA2) and limiting the password length to exactly 13 characters.

This sounds wacky to me, and I'm not crazy about the idea of crippling my network security (and changing the settings on all my other wireless devices, including TiVos, Apple TVs, and other computers), too.

The Wii says it does WPA2, the Apple Airport Extreme does WPA2... this stuff is supposed to be platform independent, right? Surely, there's an Apple fan and a Wii addict whose gotten this combination to work the way it's supposed to? I can't believe WEP is the only workaround.

Question about WiFi security

zek — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 10:23:36 -0800

Can WiFi packets be snooped when WEP is off but the access point is set to filter MAC addresses? My wife is choosing to leave WEP off on our router for some reason, but has MAC filtering engaged. I'm concerned with someone on the block firing up Ethereal and sniffing passwords. Will MAC filtering prevent this, or do we need WEP to have any shred of security?

I'm concerned only over casual snooping, FWIW, not the efforts of a dedicated hacker.

iPaq hates WEP WiFi

niles — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 16:22:47 -0800

Ok, I have an HP 4155 iPaq and a WEP-enabled Netgear WGR614v6, but they don't connect. Any other computer can connect to the WiFi, and the PDA can connect to unprotected signals. When I attempt to connect, the iPaq asks for the passcode. This is my first problem: Do I use the generated phrase, or the base keycode? I'm not sure because while this box has no other options, in the network settings dialog there is a "key index" setting.

Anyway, I have tried both, so I don't think that's my problem.

Once I enter the passcode, the PDA attempts to connect, but just "times out" for lack of a better phrase. Am I just missing something here, or is this another feature HP forogt to implement correctly?

I believe I have installed all of the WiFi updates for the iPaq, and the reason the siginal isn't WPA is because the iPaq only supports WEP (I think). Please no network security tips on WPA vs WEP. No solution will be too hard - I'm the resident guru :)

And that bouncing Santa gif is pretty cool.

WLAN Security Conundrum

Dr.James.Orin.Incandenza — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 11:31:01 -0800

I'm considering subscribing to a local WISP in the city I live in. Unfortunately, the guy's Wi-Fi network is using WEP encryption and I'm more than a little concerned about security. I doubt one customer recommending his small operation migrate to WPA or WPA2 would yield any results. Is there anything I can do to secure my connection? Like I said, he's a small operator and I'm all about supporting local businesses (and I'm not a huge fan of the shoddy service I get from mainstream broadband providers). I'm having an outdoor panel antenna installed and plan on hooking that into a WPA/WPA2 wireless router for my home network. I'd like to know what the main points of vulnerability are and how to (if possible) strengthen them. I've considered running Tor to further secure my connection but am worried that it'll significantly reduce my bandwidth. I don't really have a need for a super secure connection but am a bit of an internet privacy advocate/I like to tinker. Any recommendations?

Thanks,
Dr.JOI, enthusiast and i-hobbyist extraordinaire

Any wireless routers that are secure by default?

Brian James — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 22:32:45 -0800

Are there any wireless routers on the market that have security enabled by default? I'm looking for specific examples of wireless routers with security enabled by default, meaning that when plugged in, they require that you configure the wep/wpa/whatever (or affirmatively disable security) before you can use the wireless network.

I understand that almost all are configured to operate in an open mode initially--I'm interested in the exceptions. I've found on Google references to broadband companies that issue to their customers wireless routers configured this way. Anyone have any more specifics?

Discovering a WEP key in XP

blue mustard — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 06:06:46 -0800

In Windows XP, is there any way of discovering the WEP key that is saved for a particular wireless connection? Resetting the wireless router is not an option. I have full admin access on the XP box.

To encrypt or not to encrypt

gaby — Wed, 07 Jun 2006 05:04:52 -0800

I'm interested in setting up a public wireless hotspot. The question is: to encrypt or not to encrypt? I'd like to setup a hotspot in a local coffee shop, where anybody can walk in, connect to the network (the password will be supplied freely) and they can get online in under a minute. I've been reading and asking questions on WEP/WPA encryption, and I've come to this conclusion:

If the password is available to anybody who walks into this shop, is there any point in encrypting the data at all? Sure, it means the casual wardriver won't be able to sniff traffic without going in and getting the password, but that only takes 2 minutes.

I'm trying to make the tradeoff between access being as easy as possible (one password, no annoying client programs, installs, downloads, etc) and users feeling secure. I've also realised that the onus is also on the users to make sure they're secure (using a VPN connection if possible, using HTTPS, secure IMAP and POP connections, etc) but there's only so far I can go.

So, to encrypt or not to encrypt? Or what are my alternative options?

Latest and greatest in wi-fi cracking for Windows?

obiwanwasabi — Mon, 29 May 2006 16:35:25 -0800

What's the state-of-the-art for cracking wi-fi under Windows? Knoppix CD with aircrack / airsnort / kismet? Or are there some decent Windows binaries these days?

Why does XP hate my network?

logovisual — Thu, 12 Jan 2006 18:27:35 -0800

Mixed wireless network: 3 Macs, one Windows XP PC. We're using 40-bit WEP encryption, and for some reason the Windows XP laptop simply cannot stay on the network... why that be? We use the hex equivalent for the password, and the laptop can get on the internet when it's entered, but even so, XP still insists that the computer is "not connected" to the network, and every few minutes the internet connection gets dropped. Anybody have any ideas? It's not a reception issue; the laptop can be sitting right next to the router and this will still happen. It's got to be some kind of configuration thing I'm missing, but I was hoping somebody would know what this behavior is symptomatic of (i.e. the sporadic connection)...

Toronto wardriving map?

Jairus — Wed, 21 Sep 2005 07:19:51 -0800

I'm looking for a wardriving map of downtown Toronto that was posted online a year or two ago. It had wireless networks marked in three colours: encrypted, unencrypted, and out-of-the-box. I had a copy on my hard drive, but I think I've lost it. Does anyone know where I can find it?

WEP Hacking Risks

jonson — Sat, 02 Jul 2005 21:32:34 -0800

For an 802.11G network, is 128 bit WEP encryption secure ENOUGH? I have a Linksys Game Adapter (the access point you would use for an XBOX, PS2, or in my case, a new Slingbox), and 128 bit WEP is the best encryption available. My friend swears anything less than WPA is unsafe on an unwired network. Any IT/network people care to weigh in with opinions/suggestions?

Is it ethical to use other people's unsecured wifi?

wendell — Mon, 25 Oct 2004 20:23:41 -0800

Wireless Mooching? Dishonest? Dangerous? Or what? [more inside] I got a very good deal on a cheap laptop; in fact, thanks to the bignamestore having to provide a substitution from the advertised deal, I got more than I was looking for, and part of that more is Wireless Capability. Not being all that interested in Wireless, I am also grossly underinformed on the subject. But now, I have discovered that, at the apartment building in which I am currently squatting, I am within range of several wireless networks, including a few that are unsecured, with names like "linksys" and "NETGEAR".

So, please tell me why I should never ever ever connect to any of these strangers' networks. Is it more dishonest than stealing cable? Would I get caught within five minutes? Am I endangering my new laptop to evil infections? Or is there a way to do it that would not be so illegal, immoral or fattenning?

Please don't respect me less because I've asked this question... as if any of you ever respected me at all...