Wireless Security Options; Manually Configuring Your Wireless Settings - NETGEAR WNR612v2 User Manual

Wireless-N 150 Router WNR612v2 User Manual

Wireless Security Options

Indoors, computers can connect over 802.11g wireless networks at a maximum range of up
to 300 feet. Such distances can allow for others outside your immediate area to access your
network.
Unlike wired network data, your wireless data transmissions can extend beyond your walls
and can be received by anyone with a compatible adapter. For this reason, use the security
features of your wireless equipment. The Wireless-N 150 Router WNR612v2 provides highly
effective security features, which are covered in detail in this chapter. Deploy the security
features appropriate to your needs.
There are several ways you can enhance the security of your wireless network:
Restrict access based on MAC address. You can allow only trusted PCs to connect so
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that unknown PCs cannot wirelessly connect to the wireless router. Restricting access by
MAC address 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
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of the SSID, only devices that have the correct SSID can connect. This nullifies wireless
network discovery feature of some products, such as Windows XP, but the data is still
exposed.
WEP. Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) data encryption provides data security. WEP
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Shared Key authentication and WEP data encryption block all but the most determined
eavesdropper. This data encryption mode has been superseded by WPA-PSK and
WPA2-PSK.
WPA-802.1x, WPA2-802.1x. Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) with user authentication
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implemented using IEE 802.1x and RADIUS servers.
WPA-PSK (TKIP), WPA2-PSK (AES). Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) using a pre-shared
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key to perform authentication and generate the initial data encryption keys. The very
strong authentication along with dynamic per frame re-keying of WPA makes it virtually
impossible to compromise.
For more information about wireless technology, click the link to the online document in
Wireless Communications

Manually Configuring Your Wireless Settings

If you use a wireless computer to change the wireless network
Note:
name (SSID) or wireless security, you will be disconnected when
you click Apply. To avoid this problem, connect your computer to the
router with an Ethernet cable while you are making changes.
in Appendix B.
Chapter 2: Wireless Configuration | 15