Router security question

My routers highest wifi security option is "WPA/WPA2 mixed mode(Wi-Fi Protected Access Pre-Shared Key)"
How does wpa and wpa2 at the same time work? and is it safe with a 13 digit alphanumeric upper case and lower case password?

Blackmesa8

WPA2 only is better - is that not available ?

You aren't restricted to 13 characters, use lower/upper/numbers/symbols you have 8-64 characters from memory.

How does it work at the same time ? I imagine the clients negotiate the encryption to use with the access point, but I haven't read the details of it.

It will accept WPA2 if clients support it but will also accept WPA1 if clients do not support WPA2..

I think a 13 character alphanumeric password is absolutely fine for a home wifi network.

Guess it depends on where you live too. I live in a small village where only about 6 houses could even pick me wireless signal up, and i know 3 of those dont have internet access as they're elderly, so even though i have security on, its probably doesnt have to be as secure as say living in a town centre

I use WPA with 63 alphanumeric-characters password for wireless security, not all my network stuff support WPA2.

The 63 alphanumeric characters password generated at GRC website https://www.grc.com/passwords.htm

r7n7JSY77I5xkHeGRK0mXDzyY47OjUPqaIhFGpdH7PJ79h896bw5eKBTbHig6R

In reply to a post by bobble_bob:

Guess it depends on where you live too. I live in a small village where only about 6 houses could even pick me wireless signal up, and i know 3 of those dont have internet access as they're elderly, so even though i have security on, its probably doesnt have to be as secure as say living in a town centre

You're spot on.

In reply to a post by E7er:

The 63 alphanumeric characters password generated at GRC website https://www.grc.com/passwords.htm

r7n7JSY77I5xkHeGRK0mXDzyY47OjUPqaIhFGpdH7PJ79h896bw5eKBTbHig6R

Hmm. Slight chance that GRC have a copy of it. I pop on a blindfold, then bash my head on the keyboard for extra randomness.

In reply to a post by camieabz:

In reply to a post by E7er:

The 63 alphanumeric characters password generated at GRC website https://www.grc.com/passwords.htm

r7n7JSY77I5xkHeGRK0mXDzyY47OjUPqaIhFGpdH7PJ79h896bw5eKBTbHig6R

Hmm. Slight chance that GRC have a copy of it. I pop on a blindfold, then bash my head on the keyboard for extra randomness.

No worries, my 63 alphanumeric characters wireless password is kept secret... I could never remember it so I keep a copy in Word, then I copy and paste it into my router and mobile phone.

phPwPOt47VVKRY7nru0XW2tzw4YGjOV5jyG1XjKnOUn3OGSt6mBCXXdw7AOL5WB

https://www.grc.com/passwords.htm

In reply to a post by E7er:

No worries, my 63 alphanumeric characters wireless password is kept secret... I could never remember it so I keep a copy in Word, then I copy and paste it into my router and mobile phone.

phPwPOt47VVKRY7nru0XW2tzw4YGjOV5jyG1XjKnOUn3OGSt6mBCXXdw7AOL5WB

https://www.grc.com/passwords.htm

If you "keep a copy in word" it is not secret!

Why don't you use a product like keepass http://keepass.info/ or similar to generate and store your passwords?

If you use any password which is 63 characters long of random characters in cannot be "secret" as you must have a copy and entering it will be a right sod.

Must be a right pain if you use a SKY wireless adapter with a SKY+ box? Unless you use WPS?

In reply to a post by greenglide:

If you "keep a copy in word" it is not secret!

Why don't you use a product like keepass http://keepass.info/ or similar to generate and store your passwords?

If you use any password which is 63 characters long of random characters in cannot be "secret" as you must have a copy and entering it will be a right sod.

Must be a right pain if you use a SKY wireless adapter with a SKY+ box? Unless you use WPS?

KeePass now you�re talking, it�s my most favourite programme, I hadn�t thought of keeping it in there! I use Keepass for bank accounts, utility bills, insurance accounts, Driving Licence, car tax, Internet accounts and anything I want to keep details of securely for instant access. It�s hard to believe the programme is offered FREE.

http://keepass.info/

I don�t use Sky and have Ethernet connected to the TV for Internet, so no wireless password needed there. I have a Nokia mobile phone that I cannot use on my wireless LAN due to it will not copy and paste like my iPhone.

Then how do you know keepass is not sharing them?

KeePass is a program on the computer..... I think if the program dialled home in any way shape or form, even if a single packet was transmitted to the internet which was obscure, a savvy user would be shouting and screaming about it.

Of course it can be. If that word document is kept on removable media in a safe it is perfectly secure. Even if it isn't how is someone going to obtain that file, either they hack your computer and files, in which case the wireless key is the least of your worries, they break into your house and steal your computer, again your wireless key is the least of your worries, and if they did break in to your house to steal your wireless key they could just plug in a network cable into your router rendering your wireless security useless yet again!

If someone gains my wireless key it is not the end of the world, they could misuse my internet connection indeed but nothing else.

Edited by Pipexer (Tue 02-Apr-13 16:48:19)