How are people cracking WEP?

Jay · 12-12-2002, 11:39 AM

I'm considering setting up a wireless network inside my house but I've read so many articles of drive-by hacking, people who drive around armed with a laptop and a wireless nic. Yes, I know the chances of having one of those hackers driving up to my house is slim but I would still like to know how it's done.

To my understanding, WEP authenticates a user only if you can provide the matching key. If you are authenticated, then all traffic sent back and forth becomes encrypted. If that's the case, then anyone who's close enough can sniff my wireless traffic and crack WEP that way? (I've researched and I believe there's only 4 keys available). Or can a hacker crack WEP by listening for the SSID broadcasts and attempt to crack WEP without any traffic, ie when I'm at work?

Obviously, I search the web and couldn't find a cookbook set of instructions how to crack WEP (not that I'm complaining!) but I would like to have a general idea. Thanks so much!

12-12-2002, 11:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
Jay Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 7 OS: Win XP	How are people cracking WEP? I'm considering setting up a wireless network inside my house but I've read so many articles of drive-by hacking, people who drive around armed with a laptop and a wireless nic. Yes, I know the chances of having one of those hackers driving up to my house is slim but I would still like to know how it's done. To my understanding, WEP authenticates a user only if you can provide the matching key. If you are authenticated, then all traffic sent back and forth becomes encrypted. If that's the case, then anyone who's close enough can sniff my wireless traffic and crack WEP that way? (I've researched and I believe there's only 4 keys available). Or can a hacker crack WEP by listening for the SSID broadcasts and attempt to crack WEP without any traffic, ie when I'm at work? Obviously, I search the web and couldn't find a cookbook set of instructions how to crack WEP (not that I'm complaining!) but I would like to have a general idea. Thanks so much!