Is my wireless laptop secure?

Chippy_Minton

Tony, any printable characters can be used, not just hex. Using a word is a security risk because, given enough time and inclination, it can be cracked with a dictionary search. Better to generate a random key using https://www.grc.com/passwords.

esuhl

You often have two choices with the WPA "password" - entering a long 64-bit hexadecimal key or keyword (containing any number of letters/numbers a-z, 0-9 and probably other characters). The keyword is used to generate a 64-bit hex key, I believe.

--Tony--

Now I see thanks guys. Although i have used a word its a made up word that means something to me but would not be found in a dictionary so I think I'm OK.

Lob_Rockster

• don't disable SSID; if a hacker is interested to find your network, he can. It's not really "hidden" and he'll be using linux and certain wifi cards that would find your network in a heartbeat
• Do, however, use completely random and unpersonal SSID names. Mine are named after hovercraft in the Matrix
• your neighbour can't get onto your network without the WEP key. If your devices do support WPA(2) then use it. I'd actually recommend a passphrase (example below)
• casual drive-bys will see people connect to your neighbour's AP not yours. Nice, huh?

Passphrase:
Think of a phrase and take random parts of it, like this
"My favourite team is Middlesbrough because they will win two cups this season"

-> MFavTi5MboroBcsTHEYWILLwn2cpStisSsn

This is a lazy example as I've only uses upper/lower alphanumberic chars....but it gives the chance for you to "remember" the phrase but will resist dictionary attack. You can salt the phrase more with random characters and signs too.

Slapps

try the shield-up gadget in this site https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2 as it will tell u how secure ur wireless is. make sure that u have the ickle paddlock @ the bottom of ya screen b4 u do this. i use this all the time and found my system is locked up nice n tight.

Slapps