WEP

In IEEE 802.11b wireless LAN (WLAN) specifications, an optional security mechanism that uses a stream cipher with a 40-, 64- or 128-bit (WEP2) encryption key to protect data in transit. Since compromised by hackers in 2001, WEP largely has been replaced by Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA). See also 802.11b, cipher, encryption, hacker, key, WLAN, and WPA.