Secret Keys

When dealing with secret keys, you are really working with the WEP
algorithm. In most cases, you have 40-bit secret keys used for both
authentication and encryption. Most 802.11 implementations permit
higher-level encryption when using 104-bit secret keys. Although 802.11
does not force you to use the same WEP keys with all wireless workstations,
it does permit each wireless user to have sets of shared keys:


Unicast session keys

Multicast or global keys

Most 802.11 setups support shared multicast/global keys; however they
will shortly support unicast session keys for each wireless workstation.
You will find that you have encryption services from WEP that are
used to protect authorized WLAN users from hackers who are trying to
eavesdrop on network traffic. However, WEP allows your WLAN to
emulate the same types of physical security attributes present in your
wired LAN, as long as you have taken the safeguards and precautions
outlined in this book to prevent your personal information from falling
into the hands of someone trying to break into your network.