How to Use a WEP Key for Wireless Router

A Wired Equivalent Privacy, or WEP, key is a security setting that allows access to the wireless router to be limited to devices that have the corresponding key. Anyone who does not have this code installed in their wireless settings will not be able to connect to the Internet using the router. This is to protect the data packets being transmitted over the wireless network connection.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Go to your wireless router software and click on the security setting section. Create a WEP key by providing a secret code or password that restricts access to the network.

2. Be sure to choose a key with a combination of letters, numbers and symbols. These types of codes are the most difficult to break.

3. Click on the wireless connections options on your wireless router software. Find your router from the list of found servers and click on security settings.

4. Add the WEP key that you used on the main router settings to the wireless device. A lock symbol should now appear next to the name of your wireless router from the list of available routers.

5. Access the Internet via your router using only devices that have the WEP installed in their wireless settings. Without it, they will not be able to complete the connections to the network. This information must be added to all wireless devices that you plan to access via the router.

Tips & Warnings

• WEP provides a fairly low level of security, while still being very popular. It will keep out casual users who have accidentally found your router. However, it can be easily hacked by anyone with skill, intent and an easily available software program. Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA and WPA2) are the new standard and provide a much higher level of security.