Here are reasons not to use WEP encryption on your router

It is known that routers have become one of the most important devices in the household more than any other piece of furniture. For this purpose, we previously listed for you the best routers that can be purchased and are worthy of use for the year 2019. We also explained the difference between different types of Wi-Fi protection such as WEP, WAP, and WAP-2, and what to choose among them. Today, we are working on clarifying a set of reasons that discourage dealing seriously with WEP encryption from now on and onwards.

WEP stands for Wired Equivalent Privacy and is a security protocol for Wi-Fi networks. When using it, your computer sends data packets to the router. If these packets are not encrypted, intruders can take a quick look at them and see the data inside. This tactic is known as a Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attack. If the packets are not encrypted, anyone executing a MitM attack on the network will see what you are sending. That’s where WEP encryption comes in to encrypt your data so users cannot see the packets.

The age of WEP makes it an insecure choice for encryption. It was the first protocol created for Wi-Fi service and has been discontinued since 1997 after the release of new encryption protocols. However, millions of people still use it since then. With the antiquity of this type of encryption, its security is exposed and threatened by hackers and their tools. Therefore, it is not advisable to deal in general with any old version, and constant development and updating are necessary.

The main problem with WEP is that it uses a single static key when sending data from your computer. There was no issue when this encryption was first made available, but over time, intruders were able to discover the encryption code and key. Thus, once a eavesdropper knows your Wi-Fi connection key, they can crack the encryption and read the data you are sending.

Unfortunately, WEP is still present in some old systems. This is usually due to someone setting up a system a long time ago and the people running it are unaware of the security risks that arise if not upgraded. As long as the system functions properly, the organization does not feel the need to upgrade. Some companies are still using the Windows XP operating system to this day, despite its weaknesses and vulnerability to hackers and their tools.

If you are using WEP on your home network, you are vulnerable to eavesdropping on your connection. Therefore, it is advisable to upgrade to a stronger network protocol to deter intruders. So, you should look for a router that supports WPA2 security encryption, which is stricter and more secure than WEP. While not perfect, it will secure your network much better than WEP. If you are willing to spend a little extra, you can buy routers with WPA3 enabled, which is stronger. However, WPA3 is still an emerging protocol and may cost extra for the security luxury.