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    WPA-PSK and SSID question!!!

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by clb, Jun 20, 2005.

  1. clb

    clb Notebook Geek

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    hi, so i enabled the WPA-PSK but was wondering about something. I heard that WPA is more secured than WEP. However, WPA-PSK, u're just entering a passphrase in...kinda the same as WEP where u enter a 26 hex in. So, what's the difference anyway? I heard WPA is dynamic whereas WEP is static but if I enter a passphrase in for WPA-PSK, then how is that dynamic?!

    also, i was wondering if i disable the SSID broadcasting... and i have a wireless notebook..then would it not see the network?! if yes...then what exactly can i do to connect the notebook to internet?
     
    clb, Jun 20, 2005
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  2. LaZzZy_Dude

    LaZzZy_Dude Notebook Evangelist

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    As for the SSID, If you choose to hide it, no one will be able to see it, but if you write in right SSID in the wireless config of your laptop ...it will connect to the wireless network...
     
    LaZzZy_Dude, Jun 20, 2005
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  3. clb

    clb Notebook Geek

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    "write in right SSID" ? HUH? ....sorry, I don't get it :(
     
    clb, Jun 20, 2005
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  4. Venombite

    Venombite Notebook Virtuoso

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    Clb,

    WPA-PSK is kinda similar to WEP as you enter a (PSK) pre-shared key on both ends. But this uses a 256Bit encryption scheme vs WEP's 128Bit encryption scheme. Therefore it's a lot harder to crack.

    If you disabled the SSID on the router and enter the SSID in your Wireless network config on your notebook, your notebook should still find teh network without any problems. It's just kinda "invisible" to others just passing by with a notebook & wireless card, unless they're "war driving", but that's a different story.

    -Vb-
     
    Venombite, Jun 21, 2005
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  5. RadcomTxx

    RadcomTxx Notebook Deity

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    If you use TKIP with WPA-PSK a random WEP style key is generated randomly and quite frequently, thus increasing security even more over the simple static WEP key which, as i have heard, can be broken quite easily.
     
    RadcomTxx, Jun 22, 2005
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  6. clb

    clb Notebook Geek

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    i actually called up dlink and asked and the dude suggested me to use WEP instead of WPA-PSK [B)] ....

    i use a DI 524
    how would i activate/use TKIP?

    but again... i'm thinkin...do i need that extra security... hrm.... i guess i can never know what my neighbours are doing :p
     
    clb, Jun 22, 2005
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  7. RadcomTxx

    RadcomTxx Notebook Deity

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    I think TKIP is simply part of WPA-PSK, and that you choose to use that protocol (there is another one besides TKIP, but i don't remeber what it is) when setting the connection settings of your wireless card.

    AS fore the DLink guy saying to use just WEP, he is probably going on the principle of having to think that everyone he talks to for tech support is the dumbest person alive and doesn't know what they are doing. (no offense meant, but that is something i was told in a low level computer programming course so that we would make the program "fool proof")

    Really WEP isn't that strong, it acts more like a detterrent, but if someone wanted in and had the right software, they could. WPA-PSK makes that alot harder by makeing the security much tighter and stronger.
     
    RadcomTxx, Jun 22, 2005
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  8. Venombite

    Venombite Notebook Virtuoso

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    Clb,

    Here's an article on Microsoft's site that explains what WPA is and how it works, plus its benefits.

    http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=815485

    -Vb-
     
    Venombite, Jun 22, 2005
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