WEP Key - What Are WEP Keys?

Question: WEP Key - What Are WEP Keys?

WEP stands for Wired Equivalent Privacy, a standard for WiFi wireless network security. But what exactly are WEP keys?

Answer: A WEP key is a security code used on some WiFi networks. WEP keys allow a group of devices on a local network (such as a home network) to exchange encoded messages with each other while hiding the contents of the messages from easy viewing by outsiders.

A WEP key is a sequence of hexadecimal digits. These digits include the numbers 0-9 and the letters A-F. Some examples of WEP keys are:

• 1A648C9FE2
• 99D767BAC38EA23B0C0176D15

WEP keys are chosen by a network administrator. WEP keys are set on WiFi routers, adapters and other wireless network devices. Matching WEP keys must be set on each device for them to communicate with each other.

The length of a WEP key depends on the type of WEP security (called "encryption") utilized:

• 40- / 64-bit WEP: 10 digit key
• 104- / 128-bit WEP: 26 digit key
• 256-bit WEP: 58 digit key

To assist with the process of creating correct WEP keys, some brands of wireless network equipment automatically generates WEP keys from ordinary text called a "passphrase." Some Web sites also offer automatic WEP key generators.