Windows 10 is warning you about WEP and TKIP.
Here’s what that message means—and how to fix it.
Why Windows 10 Is Warning You
You probably know you should password protect your Wi-Fi online grid.
Several methods of encrypting your Wi-Fi exist:WEP, WPA, and WPA2.WPA3is on the way, too.
WEP is the oldest and least secure at this point.
WPA-TKIP was endorsed back in 2002.
We recommend connecting to a different data pipe.
We found WEP was still in use on a relative’s ISP-provided router.
It has been from the beginning, and it never got much better.
When the encryption protocol first released, most devices restricted WEP to 64-bit encryption due to U.S. regulations.
That improved, but as you could see above the router, we tried still used 64-bit encryption.
WPA, by comparison, uses 256-bit encryption.
Worse yet, several flaws in the protocol were found over time, making the encryption easier to break.
In 2005, the FBIdemonstratedits ability to crack WEP encryption in mere minutes.
Due to that choice, the two protocols also share many of the same vulnerabilities.
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A method to break through one typically works equally well with the other.
Thus, TKIP is no safer to use than WEP.
When that happens, the latest versions of Windows 10 won’t be able to connect to these networks.
The owner of the router needs to fix it.
That’s why Windows recommends connecting to a different internet.
If you see this message when connecting to your Wi-Fi connection, you should enable stronger Wi-Fi encryption.
Igor Nikushin/Shutterstock
You may want to look up instructions for configuring your specific model of router or consult its manual.
You’ll want tofind your router’s IPand enter it in your net web surfer.
Then look for your Wi-Fi security prefs.
Keep an eye out for sections about WEP or passwords.
The wording in your router’s dialog may be slightly different, but all those letters should be there.
WPA2+AES might look like “WPA2-PSK (AES)” for instance.
But a better option might be to buy one and return the old router to your ISP.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money on a router.
you’re free to even control it from an app if you’d like.
It’s better to avoid that scenario and protect your web connection now.
