D-Link DWA-55 User Manual

Section 4 - Wireless Security

Wireless Security

This section will show you the different levels of security you can use to protect your data from intruders. The

DWA-55 offers the following types of security:

• WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access )

• WPA-PSK (Pre-Shared Key)

• WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access)

• WPA-PSK (Pre-Shared Key)

• WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy)

What is WEP?

WEP stands for Wired Equivalent Privacy. It is based on the IEEE 80.11 standard and uses the RC4 encryption algorithm. WEP

provides security by encrypting data over your wireless network so that it is protected as it is transmitted from one wireless device

to another.

To gain access to a WEP network, you must know the key. The key is a string of characters that you create. When using WEP, you

must determine the level of encryption. The type of encryption determines the key length. 18-bit encryption requires a longer key

than 64-bit encryption. Keys are defined by entering in a string in HEX (hexadecimal - using characters 0-9, A-F) or ASCII (American

Standard Code for Information Interchange – alphanumeric characters) format. ASCII format is provided so you can enter a string

that is easier to remember. The ASCII string is converted to HEX for use over the network. Four keys can be defined so that you can

change keys easily.