1 question, which is a better security, WEP or WPA-PSK?
right now i m using WEP, but now since i have two options (previously only WEP since i use 802.11b router), i want to know which is a better choice?

thanks

WPA is better but your router needs to support it. If you have the Intel adapter, it will already support WPA.

i just bought netgear router and the router supports it.  so now another q, how much better is wpa compare to wep?  how does wpa work?  i sort of know how wep works

Neither of them is really good but WPA is generally considered better since it’s newer. The next gen security will be far better…802.11i I believe is the new technology behind it.

Here’s a quick read up of WPA: http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials/article.php/2148721

what are the differences between WPA and WPA-PSK?  thanks

WEP was the original security specification used in 802.11 technology but it was fundamentally flawed as it was relatively easy to crack and had other issues.

In order to fix the issues and implement stronger security, a new security specification was drawn up. This is known as 802.11i which has been recently released. 802.11i is technically WPA2 as its specifications were finally ratified and implemented.

The industry knew 802.11i would not be ready for a while and a better solution needed to exist so another solution was born. WPA delivers a level of security way beyond anything that WEP can offer, bridges the gap between WEP and 802.11i networks, and has the advantage that the firmware in older equipment may be upgradeable.

So, if you can…use WPA as it’s more secure. However, know that because it uses RC4 encryption that it can slow down your connection anywhere from 10-50% depending on your brand of hardware. So, if you have a 54Mbps connection which actually transfers data at 20MBbps (without security) don’t be surprised if transfer rates drop to 10-15Mbps when you enable WPA.

the reason i ask is that my roomie card can only support WPA n WEP and my router is WPA-PSK n WEP.  my card is WPA and WPA-PSK.  when i look at xp wireless configuration, i see that WPA and WPA-PSK.

so i m just wondering…. if the same, why does xp have two options?