Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) algorithm is designed to protect your wireless communications from eavesdropping, and to prevent unauthorized access to your wireless network.

WEP is based on use of a secret key that is shared between a wireless client device (e.g. a PDA, or a laptop computer with a wireless Ethernet adapter) and an access point (i.e. a base station or a wireless AP/Router Combo unit). WEP uses the secret key to encrypt data packets before they are transmitted over the air. Packets are then checked for integrity upon receipt to verify that they are not modified or tempered with during the transit.

To use WEP on your WLAN, you would usually specify a single key that would then be shared between all your mobile wireless clients and your APs.

Even though WEP encryption method is not immune to attacks, it is certainly better to use it if you are using no other stronger encryption methods.

To get the most out of WEP, you should use a non-obvious encryption key, at least 128bit WEP. WiFi gear prices have been coming down steadily, so there is not reason to use any wireless devices on your wifi network that do not support 128bit WEP.

Here is how to enable WEP:

• Fire up the configuration software utility that came with your wireless gear
  
• Click on "encryption" tab
  
• You will probably see a drop down box that allows you to select your key strength. You options may include: 64bit or 128bit. Choose 128bit.
  
• Now you have two ways to enter your WEP key.
  
  • Using a Passphrase: Use this option to enter a passphrase (in English) which the software will then use to come up with a WEP key.
    
  • Using Hex Code: Depending on the type of key you are using, you would have a series of boxes that will allow you to enter your WEP key using Hex code. If you have selected a 64 bit WEP key, you will be entering 10 (2 per box, 5 input boxes) HEX WEP codes. If you have selected 128 bit WEP, you would be entering 26 Hexadecimal codes for your WEP Key.
• Unless you need to connect to different base stations (of different manufacturers, make and models) using different WEP key formats, you do not need to enter more than one key. If you like to toggle your WEP keys periodically, you could enter more than one (usually up to four) WEP keys here, but you would be using only one WEP key for encryption at a time.
  
• Select your default key. If you entered your key in row number 1, you would be selecting "1" from the dropdown box.
  
• Click on Apply or OK to save your changes, and
  
• Power cycle your wireless device.

Remember, you need to setup wireless gear on both end of your communication channel (your base station or your AP, AND your wireless client/wifi card) to use the same key or you will not be able to establish a link.

Again, WEP is breakable, but it is certainly better to use it than having no encryption at all.