Wireless security and XP

Strange problem. My wife's laptop - XP SP2 cannot connect to our WAP that
has WEP 128 bit security. She can connect to other wireless networks with
(possibly) 64 Bit WEP. (I don't know the setup of this other network but I'm
guessing at 64 bit from the password length). Does XP not connect to 128 bit
WEP?

--
Asking a question?
Please tell us the version of the application you are asking about,
your OS, Service Pack level
and the FULL contents of any error message(s)

Gordon <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> Strange problem. My wife's laptop - XP SP2 cannot connect to our WAP
> that has WEP 128 bit security. She can connect to other wireless
> networks with (possibly) 64 Bit WEP. (I don't know the setup of this
> other network but I'm guessing at 64 bit from the password length).
> Does XP not connect to 128 bit WEP?

Yes. This would most likely be a driver/wireless card issue. Note that if
you're using WEP, you aren't very secure. Use WPA instead.

Hi
To connect at 128bit, it has to be supported by the Wireless Router (WAP),
and the Wireless client card.
Check carefully to make sure that they both support it.
This page covers WinXP Encryption issues.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../bb457016.aspx
In addition WEP 64 or 128 is Not really secure any more.
From the weakest to the strongest, Wireless security capacity is.
No Security
Switching Off SSID (same has No Security. SSID can be easily sniffed even if
it is Off)
MAC Filtering______(Band Aid if nothing else is available, MAC number can be
easily Spoofed).
WEP64____(Easy, to "Break" by knowledgeable people).
WEP128___(A little Harder, but "Hackable" too).
-------------------
The three above are Not considered safe.
Safe Starts here at WPA.
-------------------
WPA-PSK__(Very Hard to Break).
WPA-AES__(Not functionally Breakable)
WPA2____ (Not functionally Breakable).
Note 1: WPA-AES the the current entry level rendition of WPA2.
Note 2: If you use WinXP bellow SP3 and did not updated it, you would have
to download the WPA2 patch from Microsoft.
<http://support.microsoft.com/kb/893357>
The documentation of your Wireless devices (Wireless Router, and Wireless
Computer's Card) should state the type of security that is available with
your Wireless hardware.
All devices MUST be set to the same security level using the same pass
phrase.
Therefore the security must be set according what ever is the best possible
of one of the Wireless devices.
I.e. even if most of your system might be capable to be configured to the
max. with WPA2, but one device is only capable to be configured to max . of
WEP, to whole system must be configured to WEP.
If you need more good security and one device (like a Wireless card that can
do WEP only) is holding better security for the whole Network, replace the
device with a better one.
Setting Wireless Security - <http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html>
The Core differences between WEP, WPA, and WPA2 -
<http://www.ezlan.net/wpa_wep.html>
Jack (MVP-Networking).

"Gordon" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Strange problem. My wife's laptop - XP SP2 cannot connect to our WAP that
> has WEP 128 bit security. She can connect to other wireless networks with
> (possibly) 64 Bit WEP. (I don't know the setup of this other network but
> I'm guessing at 64 bit from the password length). Does XP not connect to
> 128 bit WEP?
>
> --
> Asking a question?
> Please tell us the version of the application you are asking about,
> your OS, Service Pack level
> and the FULL contents of any error message(s)

"Jack (MVP-Networking)." <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi
> To connect at 128bit, it has to be supported by the Wireless Router (WAP),
> and the Wireless client card.
> Check carefully to make sure that they both support it.

The WAP certainly supports it - I was using WPA encryption. I'm trying all
the possibilities to get her to be able to connect wirelessly.
How do I check what her wireless card supports?
Is it possible to set up the WAP so I can connect by WPA and she can connect
by WEP?



> This page covers WinXP Encryption issues.
> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../bb457016.aspx
> In addition WEP 64 or 128 is Not really secure any more.
> From the weakest to the strongest, Wireless security capacity is.
> No Security
> Switching Off SSID (same has No Security. SSID can be easily sniffed even
> if it is Off)
> MAC Filtering______(Band Aid if nothing else is available, MAC number can
> be easily Spoofed).
> WEP64____(Easy, to "Break" by knowledgeable people).
> WEP128___(A little Harder, but "Hackable" too).
> -------------------
> The three above are Not considered safe.
> Safe Starts here at WPA.
> -------------------
> WPA-PSK__(Very Hard to Break).
> WPA-AES__(Not functionally Breakable)
> WPA2____ (Not functionally Breakable).
> Note 1: WPA-AES the the current entry level rendition of WPA2.
> Note 2: If you use WinXP bellow SP3 and did not updated it, you would have
> to download the WPA2 patch from Microsoft.
> <http://support.microsoft.com/kb/893357>
> The documentation of your Wireless devices (Wireless Router, and Wireless
> Computer's Card) should state the type of security that is available with
> your Wireless hardware.
> All devices MUST be set to the same security level using the same pass
> phrase.
> Therefore the security must be set according what ever is the best
> possible of one of the Wireless devices.
> I.e. even if most of your system might be capable to be configured to the
> max. with WPA2, but one device is only capable to be configured to max .
> of WEP, to whole system must be configured to WEP.
> If you need more good security and one device (like a Wireless card that
> can do WEP only) is holding better security for the whole Network, replace
> the device with a better one.
> Setting Wireless Security - <http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html>
> The Core differences between WEP, WPA, and WPA2 -
> <http://www.ezlan.net/wpa_wep.html>
> Jack (MVP-Networking).
>
> "Gordon" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Strange problem. My wife's laptop - XP SP2 cannot connect to our WAP that
>> has WEP 128 bit security. She can connect to other wireless networks with
>> (possibly) 64 Bit WEP. (I don't know the setup of this other network but
>> I'm guessing at 64 bit from the password length). Does XP not connect to
>> 128 bit WEP?
>>
>> --
>> Asking a question?
>> Please tell us the version of the application you are asking about,
>> your OS, Service Pack level
>> and the FULL contents of any error message(s)
>



--
Asking a question?
Please tell us the version of the application you are asking about,
your OS, Service Pack level
and the FULL contents of any error message(s)

"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"
<(E-Mail Removed) hoo.com> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Gordon <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>> Strange problem. My wife's laptop - XP SP2 cannot connect to our WAP
>> that has WEP 128 bit security. She can connect to other wireless
>> networks with (possibly) 64 Bit WEP. (I don't know the setup of this
>> other network but I'm guessing at 64 bit from the password length).
>> Does XP not connect to 128 bit WEP?
>
> Yes. This would most likely be a driver/wireless card issue. Note that if
> you're using WEP, you aren't very secure. Use WPA instead.
>


Yes I know about WPA. I was using it, but she couldn't connect with that
either, so I'm looking at all the possibilities. I've reduced it from WPA to
256 bit WEP, and now we're on 128 bit WEP and I'm about to go down to 64 bit
WEP. I don't like it any more than you, however, we are deep in the sticks
so the chance of anyone sitting outside my house in a car with a wireless
laptop is remote...

--
Asking a question?
Please tell us the version of the application you are asking about,
your OS, Service Pack level
and the FULL contents of any error message(s)

what wireless card does she have? what OS and Service Pack?



On Mon, 16 Feb 2009 08:15:30 -0000, "Gordon" <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>How do I check what her wireless card supports?

--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...ts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/
http://digitalmediaphile.wordpress.com

as Jack posted, XP SP2 needs the WPA2 QFE at
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/893357

you need to tell us what wireless NIC and what driver it is using.

On Mon, 16 Feb 2009 08:15:30 -0000, "Gordon" <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>"Jack (MVP-Networking)." <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Hi
>> To connect at 128bit, it has to be supported by the Wireless Router (WAP),
>> and the Wireless client card.
>> Check carefully to make sure that they both support it.
>
>The WAP certainly supports it - I was using WPA encryption. I'm trying all
>the possibilities to get her to be able to connect wirelessly.
>How do I check what her wireless card supports?
>Is it possible to set up the WAP so I can connect by WPA and she can connect
>by WEP?
>
>
>
>> This page covers WinXP Encryption issues.
>> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../bb457016.aspx
>> In addition WEP 64 or 128 is Not really secure any more.
>> From the weakest to the strongest, Wireless security capacity is.
>> No Security
>> Switching Off SSID (same has No Security. SSID can be easily sniffed even
>> if it is Off)
>> MAC Filtering______(Band Aid if nothing else is available, MAC number can
>> be easily Spoofed).
>> WEP64____(Easy, to "Break" by knowledgeable people).
>> WEP128___(A little Harder, but "Hackable" too).
>> -------------------
>> The three above are Not considered safe.
>> Safe Starts here at WPA.
>> -------------------
>> WPA-PSK__(Very Hard to Break).
>> WPA-AES__(Not functionally Breakable)
>> WPA2____ (Not functionally Breakable).
>> Note 1: WPA-AES the the current entry level rendition of WPA2.
>> Note 2: If you use WinXP bellow SP3 and did not updated it, you would have
>> to download the WPA2 patch from Microsoft.
>> <http://support.microsoft.com/kb/893357>
>> The documentation of your Wireless devices (Wireless Router, and Wireless
>> Computer's Card) should state the type of security that is available with
>> your Wireless hardware.
>> All devices MUST be set to the same security level using the same pass
>> phrase.
>> Therefore the security must be set according what ever is the best
>> possible of one of the Wireless devices.
>> I.e. even if most of your system might be capable to be configured to the
>> max. with WPA2, but one device is only capable to be configured to max .
>> of WEP, to whole system must be configured to WEP.
>> If you need more good security and one device (like a Wireless card that
>> can do WEP only) is holding better security for the whole Network, replace
>> the device with a better one.
>> Setting Wireless Security - <http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html>
>> The Core differences between WEP, WPA, and WPA2 -
>> <http://www.ezlan.net/wpa_wep.html>
>> Jack (MVP-Networking).
>>
>> "Gordon" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> Strange problem. My wife's laptop - XP SP2 cannot connect to our WAP that
>>> has WEP 128 bit security. She can connect to other wireless networks with
>>> (possibly) 64 Bit WEP. (I don't know the setup of this other network but
>>> I'm guessing at 64 bit from the password length). Does XP not connect to
>>> 128 bit WEP?
>>>
>>> --
>>> Asking a question?
>>> Please tell us the version of the application you are asking about,
>>> your OS, Service Pack level
>>> and the FULL contents of any error message(s)
>>
--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...ts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/
http://digitalmediaphile.wordpress.com

Gordon <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> "Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"
> <(E-Mail Removed) hoo.com> wrote in
> message news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Gordon <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>>> Strange problem. My wife's laptop - XP SP2 cannot connect to our WAP
>>> that has WEP 128 bit security. She can connect to other wireless
>>> networks with (possibly) 64 Bit WEP. (I don't know the setup of this
>>> other network but I'm guessing at 64 bit from the password length).
>>> Does XP not connect to 128 bit WEP?
>>
>> Yes. This would most likely be a driver/wireless card issue. Note
>> that if you're using WEP, you aren't very secure. Use WPA instead.
>>
>
>
> Yes I know about WPA. I was using it, but she couldn't connect with
> that either, so I'm looking at all the possibilities. I've reduced it
> from WPA to 256 bit WEP, and now we're on 128 bit WEP and I'm about
> to go down to 64 bit WEP. I don't like it any more than you, however,
> we are deep in the sticks so the chance of anyone sitting outside my
> house in a car with a wireless laptop is remote...

Maybe so, but if you're not in a valley in a wooded area you're probably
more exposed than you think. You could simply upgrade her to an add-in
wireless card capable of using WPA.

"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"
<(E-Mail Removed) hoo.com> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> Maybe so, but if you're not in a valley in a wooded area you're probably
> more exposed than you think.

The nearest person with a wireless-enabled computer is over 400 yards
away!!!!!

> You could simply upgrade her to an add-in wireless card capable of using
> WPA.

Unfortunately not - it's a company laptop....

--
Asking a question?
Please tell us the version of the application you are asking about,
your OS, Service Pack level
and the FULL contents of any error message(s)

Gordon <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> "Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"
> <(E-Mail Removed) hoo.com> wrote in
> message news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>
>> Maybe so, but if you're not in a valley in a wooded area you're
>> probably more exposed than you think.
>
> The nearest person with a wireless-enabled computer is over 400 yards
> away!!!!!

Yeah, I know it's unlikely. Just not impossible
>
>> You could simply upgrade her to an add-in wireless card capable of
>> using WPA.
>
> Unfortunately not - it's a company laptop....

OK.