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Forum Discussion
Orbi and WEP
I’ve been under the assumption that using WPS encryption is insecure, and the best encryption is to use WPA2 (hopefully with the Krack exploit patched). I noticed that it seems the Orbi system does us...
You are mixing up a few things here.
WPS is not the same as WEP. They aren't even the same type of thing. WPS is a method for two devices to associate with each other without using a password or the WiFi SSID. WEP and WPA2 are encryption methods. WEP is insecure. WPA2 is the most secure.
WPS will only work on devices that support WPA or WPA2 encryptiion.
Orbi doesn't even support WEP.
WPS can be less secure than using a passphrase. Orbi only supprts the push-button mode of WPS, which is the most secure WPS method. However, this also means anyone that can touch your Orbi can access your network via WPS.
You are right. I did mix up “WPA” & “WEP” with WPS. Regardless, WPS can be turned on or off on the Orbi outdoor wireless satellite (RBS50Y) for security purposes. I guess that doesn’t make sense with the Orbi Router and indoor satellite(s).
I'm not sure if you have a question anymore, but clearly, WPS should be turned off on an outdoor device.
st_shawwrote:I'm not sure if you have a question anymore, but clearly, WPS should be turned off on an outdoor device.
I understand what is is saying. The risk of someone just coming up to your outdoor Orbi is you can connect just by pushing a button without knowing the password, so they allow turning WPS totally off. While a little lower risk, it still is there for the indoor units. For example: I have a contractor working on the house. I can CHOOSE to give them guest wifi access but they could also just push the WPS button and get connected to my router.
I agree, that functionality should be able to be totally turned off.
I agree with what you wrote. But, if somoene can touch your Orbi to push the WPS button, they can plug something into a LAN port and access the LAN directly. So, WPS ON or OFF doesn't make a huge difference in security if someone has physical access to your router.