The WEP Protocol

WEP is a security standard for wireless networks.

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has a project to define standards for Wireless LANs. These are known by the code 802.11. WEP is a security procedure integrated in 802.11. It stands for "Wired Equivalent Privacy."

Function

A wireless transmission does not include encryption by default. The user has to enable the feature. WEP functions are embedded on the Wireless Network Interface Card (NIC). When WEP is enabled, the body of the data packet being transmitted is encrypted using an RSA cypher.

Name

It is easier to physically secure a wired network. A wireless system broadcasts data through walls and out into the street where anyone can receive it. The WEP protocol was given the name "Wired Equivalent Privacy" to express the intention of giving Wi-Fi networks the same level of privacy enjoyed by wired networks.

Problems

Beginning in 2001, researchers found methods to break into WEP protected signals. Hacking software and packet sniffer programs were produced which enabled WEP signals to be decoded. This resulted in WEP being dropped as a security feature of Wi-Fi networks. It was replaced by the Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) security system.

References

• Techtarget: Wired Equivalent Privacy
• Wi-Fi Planet: 802.11 WEP: Concepts and Vulnerability