ZyXEL Communications AMG1202-T10B - What Is a WEP Key; Will 128-Bit WEP Communicate with 64-Bit WEP; Can the SSID be Encrypted; By Turning off the Broadcast of SSID, Can Someone Still Sniff

AMG1202-T10B/AMG1302-T10B
Support Notes
35
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The lower level of WEP encryption uses a 40 bit (10 Hex character) as "secret
key" (set by user), and a 24 bit "Initialization Vector" (not under user control)
(40+24=64). Some vendors refer to this level of WEP as 40 bit, others as 64
bit.
5. What is a WEP key?
A WEP key is a user defined string of characters used to encrypt and decrypt
data.
6. Will 128-bit WEP communicate with 64-bit WEP?
No. 128-bit WEP will not communicate with 64-bit WEP. Although 128 bit WEP
also uses a 24 bit Initialization Vector, but it uses a 104 bit as secret key. Users
need to use the same encryption level in order to make a connection.
7. Can the SSID be encrypted?
No, WEP only encrypts the data packets not the 802.11n management
packets. The SSID is in the beacon and probe management messages and
SSID goes over the air in clear text. This makes obtaining the SSID easy by
sniffing 802.11n wireless traffic.
8. by turning off the broadcast of SSID, can someone still sniff
the SSID?
Many APs by default have broadcasting the SSID turned on. Sniffers typically
will find the SSID in the broadcast beacon packets. Turning off the broadcast of
SSID in the beacon message (a common practice) does not prevent getting
the SSID; since the SSID is sent in the clear in the probe message when a
client associates to an AP, a sniffer just has to wait for a valid user to associate
to the network to see the SSID.