HEX versus ASCII Keys

When setting up WEP on a wireless router, is a HEX key more secure than
an ASCII key, or doesn't it make any difference?

Gerry <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> When setting up WEP on a wireless router, is a HEX key more secure than an
> ASCII key, or doesn't it make any difference?

They're just different representations of the same thing -- a string of
bits. What counts is length: a 128-bit key provides stronger security
than a 40-bit key.

Gerry wrote:

> When setting up WEP on a wireless router, is a HEX key more secure
> than
> an ASCII key, or doesn't it make any difference?
>
>

One disadvantage to ASCII keys, is that they may be subject to dictionary or
social engineering attacks, because people tend to use common words. A hex
key would not normally be subject to such attacks. I use md5sum to
generate a 128 bit hex number, of which I use 104 bits for the WEP key.

--

Fundamentalism is fundamentally wrong.

To reply to this message, replace everything to the left of "@" with
james.knott.

Just buy a USR8054 wireless router. You aren't given a choice as the ASCII
WEP key entry is defective and you can only enter a hex WEP key. ;-)
"James Knott" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:wIJWb.16340$(E-Mail Removed) e.rogers.com...
> Gerry wrote:
>
> > When setting up WEP on a wireless router, is a HEX key more secure
> > than
> > an ASCII key, or doesn't it make any difference?
> >
> >
>
> One disadvantage to ASCII keys, is that they may be subject to dictionary
or
> social engineering attacks, because people tend to use common words. A
hex
> key would not normally be subject to such attacks. I use md5sum to
> generate a 128 bit hex number, of which I use 104 bits for the WEP key.
>
> --
>
> Fundamentalism is fundamentally wrong.
>
> To reply to this message, replace everything to the left of "@" with
> james.knott.