WEP in Wireless Networking

Hi,
I just had a problem with WEP encryption on a wireless network. I re-setup
an old network, used for cable access to the internet, as a friend has taken
over ownership of the account. The setup uses a 4-port router, with 802-11g
wireless access & was setup via an ethernet connection to the router (which
connects to a set-top box).

I had no problem setting up his (Windows XP Pro SP2) Dell laptop for access
from 4 floors up (but did pick up 4 other local wireless networks - 2
unsecured - a hackers paradise, but hackers are less likely to bother with
hacking a 128-bit WEP secured system in this environment). I also set up an
old HP Windows 98SE system, which my friend uses when on-site, using a PCI
wireless card - again with no serious problems.

My friends tenants in the building have been offered internet access via the
network, so I set up one PC with a wireless USB dongle (Windows XP Home SP1)
after killing some viruses & spyware.

I then tried setting up another wireless-enabled laptop (Windows XP Home
SP2) which had previously been used on dialup and on a USB modem and ran into
problems. The SP2 wireless setup wizard recognised the network by SSID and
offered to connect to it, but will not accept a 128-bit WEP. Each time I try
to input the security word (26 Hex characters) it changes them to a 64-bit
WEP! I tried deleting the automatic setup and putting in a 128-bit WEP, but
when I tried to connect to the network, the wizard set the connection back to
64-bit.

I did remove some spyware & BHOs and connected directly to a router Ethernet
port to update spyware and anti-virus software. I tried disabling some
installed software (Norton Internet Security) and switched off the Windows
firewall while trying to connect to wireless. All I have found is that
perhaps there should be some set-up options which do not appear to be
present. I don't mind using regedit if someone can tell me what to look for
(I worked in PC service before retiring).

Nicl1939

Hi
Well it seems that one of the components in the Wireless Network is only
64bit capable, check the Access Point and all cards Drivers.
BTW, if someone is already out to hack WEP, the difference between 64 and
128bit is just a matter of time.
Jack (MVP-Networking).

"Nicl1939" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:1E1EE78E-BB69-4EE7-AB07-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi,
> I just had a problem with WEP encryption on a wireless network. I
> re-setup
> an old network, used for cable access to the internet, as a friend has
> taken
> over ownership of the account. The setup uses a 4-port router, with
> 802-11g
> wireless access & was setup via an ethernet connection to the router
> (which
> connects to a set-top box).
>
> I had no problem setting up his (Windows XP Pro SP2) Dell laptop for
> access
> from 4 floors up (but did pick up 4 other local wireless networks - 2
> unsecured - a hackers paradise, but hackers are less likely to bother with
> hacking a 128-bit WEP secured system in this environment). I also set up
> an
> old HP Windows 98SE system, which my friend uses when on-site, using a PCI
> wireless card - again with no serious problems.
>
> My friends tenants in the building have been offered internet access via
> the
> network, so I set up one PC with a wireless USB dongle (Windows XP Home
> SP1)
> after killing some viruses & spyware.
>
> I then tried setting up another wireless-enabled laptop (Windows XP Home
> SP2) which had previously been used on dialup and on a USB modem and ran
> into
> problems. The SP2 wireless setup wizard recognised the network by SSID and
> offered to connect to it, but will not accept a 128-bit WEP. Each time I
> try
> to input the security word (26 Hex characters) it changes them to a 64-bit
> WEP! I tried deleting the automatic setup and putting in a 128-bit WEP,
> but
> when I tried to connect to the network, the wizard set the connection back
> to
> 64-bit.
>
> I did remove some spyware & BHOs and connected directly to a router
> Ethernet
> port to update spyware and anti-virus software. I tried disabling some
> installed software (Norton Internet Security) and switched off the Windows
> firewall while trying to connect to wireless. All I have found is that
> perhaps there should be some set-up options which do not appear to be
> present. I don't mind using regedit if someone can tell me what to look
> for
> (I worked in PC service before retiring).
>
> Nicl1939
>

Thanks Jack,
I guess you hit the nail on the head! The laptop in question is several
years old (despite being wireless-enabled) and I may have to advise the owner
to go for a PMCIA card if she really wants a wireless connection from
anywhere in the building. The other hardware I used is all more recent and
obviously supports 128-bit WEP.

As the network uses such a variety of operating systems and hardware, I am
not going to try for WAP, as I do not think anyone in an area with 5 wireless
networks (two unsecured) is going to bother hack 128-bit WEP just to steal
some time (from an unlimited cable system) and no-one involved is dealing
with any confidential data. I already removed keyloggers etc & installed
software firewalls on all network systems & the router has a reasonable
firewall with no open ports (no serious gamers in the building!).

Nicl1939

"Jack (MVP-Networking)." wrote:

> Hi
> Well it seems that one of the components in the Wireless Network is only
> 64bit capable, check the Access Point and all cards Drivers.
> BTW, if someone is already out to hack WEP, the difference between 64 and
> 128bit is just a matter of time.
> Jack (MVP-Networking).
>
> "Nicl1939" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:1E1EE78E-BB69-4EE7-AB07-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > Hi,
> > I just had a problem with WEP encryption on a wireless network. I
> > re-setup
> > an old network, used for cable access to the internet, as a friend has
> > taken
> > over ownership of the account. The setup uses a 4-port router, with
> > 802-11g
> > wireless access & was setup via an ethernet connection to the router
> > (which
> > connects to a set-top box).
> >
> > I had no problem setting up his (Windows XP Pro SP2) Dell laptop for
> > access
> > from 4 floors up (but did pick up 4 other local wireless networks - 2
> > unsecured - a hackers paradise, but hackers are less likely to bother with
> > hacking a 128-bit WEP secured system in this environment). I also set up
> > an
> > old HP Windows 98SE system, which my friend uses when on-site, using a PCI
> > wireless card - again with no serious problems.
> >
> > My friends tenants in the building have been offered internet access via
> > the
> > network, so I set up one PC with a wireless USB dongle (Windows XP Home
> > SP1)
> > after killing some viruses & spyware.
> >
> > I then tried setting up another wireless-enabled laptop (Windows XP Home
> > SP2) which had previously been used on dialup and on a USB modem and ran
> > into
> > problems. The SP2 wireless setup wizard recognised the network by SSID and
> > offered to connect to it, but will not accept a 128-bit WEP. Each time I
> > try
> > to input the security word (26 Hex characters) it changes them to a 64-bit
> > WEP! I tried deleting the automatic setup and putting in a 128-bit WEP,
> > but
> > when I tried to connect to the network, the wizard set the connection back
> > to
> > 64-bit.
> >
> > I did remove some spyware & BHOs and connected directly to a router
> > Ethernet
> > port to update spyware and anti-virus software. I tried disabling some
> > installed software (Norton Internet Security) and switched off the Windows
> > firewall while trying to connect to wireless. All I have found is that
> > perhaps there should be some set-up options which do not appear to be
> > present. I don't mind using regedit if someone can tell me what to look
> > for
> > (I worked in PC service before retiring).
> >
> > Nicl1939
> >
>
>
>

Hi

I am experiencing the same problem with my laptop and would like to know HOW
TO GET MY LAPTOP TO ACCEPT THE WEP key????

Regards
Zelda


"Nicl1939" wrote:

> Hi,
> I just had a problem with WEP encryption on a wireless network. I re-setup
> an old network, used for cable access to the internet, as a friend has taken
> over ownership of the account. The setup uses a 4-port router, with 802-11g
> wireless access & was setup via an ethernet connection to the router (which
> connects to a set-top box).
>
> I had no problem setting up his (Windows XP Pro SP2) Dell laptop for access
> from 4 floors up (but did pick up 4 other local wireless networks - 2
> unsecured - a hackers paradise, but hackers are less likely to bother with
> hacking a 128-bit WEP secured system in this environment). I also set up an
> old HP Windows 98SE system, which my friend uses when on-site, using a PCI
> wireless card - again with no serious problems.
>
> My friends tenants in the building have been offered internet access via the
> network, so I set up one PC with a wireless USB dongle (Windows XP Home SP1)
> after killing some viruses & spyware.
>
> I then tried setting up another wireless-enabled laptop (Windows XP Home
> SP2) which had previously been used on dialup and on a USB modem and ran into
> problems. The SP2 wireless setup wizard recognised the network by SSID and
> offered to connect to it, but will not accept a 128-bit WEP. Each time I try
> to input the security word (26 Hex characters) it changes them to a 64-bit
> WEP! I tried deleting the automatic setup and putting in a 128-bit WEP, but
> when I tried to connect to the network, the wizard set the connection back to
> 64-bit.
>
> I did remove some spyware & BHOs and connected directly to a router Ethernet
> port to update spyware and anti-virus software. I tried disabling some
> installed software (Norton Internet Security) and switched off the Windows
> firewall while trying to connect to wireless. All I have found is that
> perhaps there should be some set-up options which do not appear to be
> present. I don't mind using regedit if someone can tell me what to look for
> (I worked in PC service before retiring).
>
> Nicl1939
>

Hi Zelda,
If Jack is correct about the problem, it is probably caused by the laptop
being rather old, so the built-in wireless networking is not able to handle a
128-bit WEP - only 64-bit . It is possible that there is an updated driver
available for the built-in networking, which would have to be downloaded from
the manufacturers (this means I have to FIND who they are - in one case I had
to track down a chinese manufacturer, who had shipped laptops to several
countries and then download drivers from one of the agents websites). I may
be able to do this when I next visit my friends house.

You very likely have the same problem.

An alternative solution is to disable the internal wireless networking
hardware and plug in a new 'PMCIA' wireless card (capable of 128-bit WEP).
These often come with their manufacturer's setup software, but it may be
necesary to disable the wireless networking setup wizard that comes with
Service Pack 2 in order to use the other software to configure the PMCIA card
('PC-card'). This is similar to what is needed for older Windows versions, or
when there is no built-in wireless networking in a laptop.

I hope this helps

Nicl1939

"zelda" wrote:

> Hi
>
> I am experiencing the same problem with my laptop and would like to know HOW
> TO GET MY LAPTOP TO ACCEPT THE WEP key????
>
> Regards
> Zelda
>
>
> "Nicl1939" wrote:
>
> > Hi,
> > I just had a problem with WEP encryption on a wireless network. I re-setup
> > an old network, used for cable access to the internet, as a friend has taken
> > over ownership of the account. The setup uses a 4-port router, with 802-11g
> > wireless access & was setup via an ethernet connection to the router (which
> > connects to a set-top box).
> >
> > I had no problem setting up his (Windows XP Pro SP2) Dell laptop for access
> > from 4 floors up (but did pick up 4 other local wireless networks - 2
> > unsecured - a hackers paradise, but hackers are less likely to bother with
> > hacking a 128-bit WEP secured system in this environment). I also set up an
> > old HP Windows 98SE system, which my friend uses when on-site, using a PCI
> > wireless card - again with no serious problems.
> >
> > My friends tenants in the building have been offered internet access via the
> > network, so I set up one PC with a wireless USB dongle (Windows XP Home SP1)
> > after killing some viruses & spyware.
> >
> > I then tried setting up another wireless-enabled laptop (Windows XP Home
> > SP2) which had previously been used on dialup and on a USB modem and ran into
> > problems. The SP2 wireless setup wizard recognised the network by SSID and
> > offered to connect to it, but will not accept a 128-bit WEP. Each time I try
> > to input the security word (26 Hex characters) it changes them to a 64-bit
> > WEP! I tried deleting the automatic setup and putting in a 128-bit WEP, but
> > when I tried to connect to the network, the wizard set the connection back to
> > 64-bit.
> >
> > I did remove some spyware & BHOs and connected directly to a router Ethernet
> > port to update spyware and anti-virus software. I tried disabling some
> > installed software (Norton Internet Security) and switched off the Windows
> > firewall while trying to connect to wireless. All I have found is that
> > perhaps there should be some set-up options which do not appear to be
> > present. I don't mind using regedit if someone can tell me what to look for
> > (I worked in PC service before retiring).
> >
> > Nicl1939
> >