Implement Appropriate Wireless Security - NETGEAR WGT634U Reference Manual

Reference Manual for the 108 Mbps Wireless Media Router WGT634U

Implement Appropriate Wireless Security

Indoors, computers can connect over 802.11b/g wireless networks at
Note:
ranges of up to 300 feet. Such distances can allow for others outside of your
immediate area to access your network.
Unlike wired network data, your wireless data transmissions can be received well beyond your
walls by anyone with a compatible adapter. For this reason, use the security features of your
wireless equipment. The WGT634U Wireless Media Router provides highly effective security
features which are covered in detail in this chapter. Deploy the security features appropriate to
your needs.
WGT634U
Figure 4-1: WGT634U wireless data security options
There are several ways you can enhance the security of your wireless network.
• Restrict Access Based on MAC Address. You can restrict access to only trusted computers
so that unknown computers cannot wirelessly connect to the WGT634U. MAC address
filtering adds an obstacle against unwanted access to your network, but the data broadcast over
the wireless link is fully exposed.
• Turn Off the Broadcast of the Wireless Network Name SSID. If you disable broadcast of
the SSID, only devices that have the correct SSID can connect. This nullifies the wireless
network 'discovery' feature of some products such as Windows XP, but the data is still fully
exposed to a determined snoop using specialized test equipment like wireless sniffers.
• WEP. Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) data encryption provides data security. WEP Shared
Key authentication and WEP data encryption will block all but the most determined
eavesdropper.
4-2
Wireless Data
Security Options
Range: Up to 300 Foot Radius
April 2004, 202-10018-02
Wireless Configuration