simple security

Check out a two part article on Tom's networking that gives a detailed how-to on breaking WEP keys - Part-I and Part-II. These articles dont just talk fluff, they lead you through the steps needed to break the WEP keys. It took them less then 5 minutes to break a 64 bit WEP key which includes the time to scan using airodump and cracking with aircrack and simulating traffic.

At an ISSA (Information Systems Security Association) meeting in Los Angeles, a team of FBI agents demonstrated current WEP-cracking techniques and broke a 128 bit WEP key in about three minutes. So even the 128 bit key is not safe enough.

Here is what The Feds suggested to protect your WiFi network:

• Network segregation: Seperate your WiFi network from your internal network and put a firewall in between.
• Change default settings of your Access Point: Seems like a no brainer that you should change your default password and default SSID to some more secure.
• Turn off the Wifi network when not in use: Use a timer to turn off the Wifi network when you are not using it (eg. sleeping hours).
• Firmware updates: Keep updating you firmware on the AP, as vendors might release patches for existing vulnerabilities.
  

You should use either WPA (WiFi Protected Access) or WPA-2 (with a strong password) or turning off wireless altogether until you can.