WEP encryption (Wired Equivalent Privacy, or Wired Equivalent Privacy) is a cipher, implemented in the 802.11 wireless connection protocol, which encrypts the information we will pass between two points so that it can only be access to them and interpret them the points that have the same key.
In general, a wireless router or Access Point will only allow access to those terminals that have the same WEP encryption key.

This key can be of three types:
64-bit WEP key .-, 5 characters or 10 hexadecimal digits (0 to 9””””A to F preceded by the string”0x”).
128-bit WEP key .-, 13 characters or 26 hexadecimal digits (0 to 9””””A to F preceded by the string”0x”).
256-bit WEP key .-, 29 characters or 58 hexadecimal digits (0 to 9””””A to F preceded by the string”0x”).
The one most often used is 128 bit, offering a good level of protection without being overly long and complicated.

The 256-bit WEP encryption is not supported by many devices.
A WEP key can decipher (there are programs for it), but this requires an uninterrupted traffic data for a given time (in fact, enough data and enough time).
Obviously, the higher the level of encryption and key more complicated the more difficult it will be to decipher.

It does not take the same (given data volume and time) to crack the WEP encryption key of 64 bits of 128 bits, and there are also no relationship between arithmetic, ie it does not take twice as crack a WEP key of 128 bits a 64-bit.
Although it is possible to crack these encryption keys, do not think that is easy or quick. A good key 128-bit WEP encryption (if not a 256-bit) can be almost unreadable if we have ensured that is sufficiently complicated.

Most key-cracking programs are based on a series of more or less logical sequence with which it begins to attack our system to enter. Obviously, a key rate takes seconds 1234567890 be located, but no one thinks (or should it occur) to this key.

We should avoid keys that contain sequences related to us (dates, names, places), and phrases, as it is the first thing you try this type of program. This is not only valid for a WEP key, but for any kind of key you say. We should also avoid key easy as consecutive sequences of keys or numbers.

For safety it is strongly recommended wherever possible to enable MAC address filtering. An also read my post on Wifi Security

A MAC (Media Access Control address) is a hexadecimal identifier of 48 bits. This address is unique for each device, not being a user-modifiable parameter (each card or network interface has its own MAC address, set by the manufacturer.)

Wifi stands for Wireless Fidelity.Most of the people rush through while setting up their wifi connection without thinking about the security of their wifi connection.It is quite understandable that they want to connect to Internet as quickly as possible and Moreover securing a wifi network is a bit tricky for most of the people so they give up their hopes quite early and leave their wifi network unsecured.Their are several loopholes through which your unsecured wireless connection can be easily hacked.So ,In this post you will know how to secure your wifi network with simple steps.
If your wireless network has been hacked or accessed by somebody else then it may lead to complete usage of your data if you have a limited data plan or worse it may lead to extra charges on you.Even if you have unlimited data plan then also you will get less speed if your wifi has been hacked.
The step by step  guide given below summarize all the necessary steps you should take for securing your wifi network.

• Whenever you purchase a new moden or new connection then you are required to configure your modem.The modem configuration page can be accessed by entering a username and password for protecting it from unauthorized access.By default the usernames that most of the modem companies use are admin or administrator and the default password that is used is password,public,admin or some other simple word.So change your usename and password as soon as you setup your modem because these username and password combinations are known by most of the hacker .

• Most of the modern modems allows both wpa and wep for securing your wifi.Applying these keys will not only encrypt your wifi network connection but it will also apply authentication .So,you should select the strongest encryption to secure your wifi network.

• Mac addresses are also known as  physical address of a computer.Mac address is unique address of a computer and it is static and cannot be changed.So,your router can be configured to connect to only to those devices whose MAC address match to the home devices.It will secure your wifi connection by just allowing the home devices to connect to it.

• Most of the modern routers come with a inbuilt firewall capability to secure your wifi network.Make sure that your router firewall is turned on if your router has one.On the other hand you can also use firewall in your computers.They provide an extra and a strong layer of protection to secure your wifi connection from hackers or network attackers.

• A small leakage of wifi signal from home to the outside cannot be stopped but the leakage of the signal can be minised to a greater extent by just changing the direction of your antenna of the router.Never place your router near windows instead try to place it in the center of the house.You will get best quality of wifi signal through out home with less leakage of wifi signal to the outer world.

• Turn of the router when it is not used.It will secure your wifi connection by giving out less access  time to hackers to your wifi network and it will be difficult for them to hack in short period of time.Moreover it will be saving your electricity which will be a secondary advantage for you.