TYPES OF SECURITY

Question

WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) = WEP is a security protocol for wireless networks. WEP aims to provide security by encrypting data over radio waves so that it is protected as it is transmitted from one end point to another. A shared key (similar to a password) is used to allow communication between the computers and the router. WEP offers a basic, but satisfactory level of security for wireless data transmission.
WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) = A security protocol for wireless networks that builds on the basic foundations of WEP. It secures wireless data transmission by using a key similar to WEP, but the added strength of WPA is that the key changes dynamically. The changing key makes it much more difficult for a hacker to learn the key and gain access to the network.
WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) = WPA2 is the second generation of WPA security and provides a stronger encryption mechanism through Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), which is a requirement for some government users.

Answer 1

Hi,
From my own reference... I do a lot of what you do on-line and at first just used the Mac built-in Firewall. All was well. Later, about a year, I opted to purchase a combo internet protection package from Intego as I went from dial-up to high-speed cable (always on if the computer is). Well, in the last year of logs with this Internet Barrier all that is recorded is 'Ping attacks'... which I have blocked now. What are they and what they do is anybody's guess, but some are from places other then where I went on-line, so I guess it's a good thing. I did get this software from the Apple Store after a long talk with the in-store personnel about going to cable internet. Dial-up is different, too slow for what the hackers want to do, where cable or broadband has the speed to do your bidding and another's without you even seeing it.
So, if your worried (like I was) you can put in "an ounce of prevention" to prevent "a pound of cure"... and monitor what happens. Who knows, the time may come when it is truly needed, but from what I have seen it is not yet. I believe the ping stuff is just the snooper, maybe the adds or something else seeing where you go and if you look at there banners, but that too bothers me.
Enjoy