ZyXEL Communications NBG7510 User Manual page 121

Because of the damage that can be done by a malicious attacker, it is not just people who have
sensitive information on their network who should use security. Everybody who uses any WiFi network
should ensure that effective security is in place.
A good way to come up with effective security keys, passwords and so on is to use obscure information
that you personally will easily remember, and to enter it in a way that appears random and does not
include real words. For example, if your mother owns a 1970 Dodge Challenger and her favorite movie is
Vanishing Point (which you know was made in 1971) you could use "70dodchal71vanpoi" as your
security key.
The following sections introduce different types of WiFi security you can set up in the WiFi network.
9.9.3.1 SSID
Normally, the Zyxel Device acts like a beacon and regularly broadcasts the SSID in the area. You can
hide the SSID instead, in which case the Zyxel Device does not broadcast the SSID. In addition, you
should change the default SSID to something that is difficult to guess.
This type of security is fairly weak, however, because there are ways for unauthorized WiFi devices to get
the SSID. In addition, unauthorized WiFi devices can still see the information that is sent in the WiFi
network.
9.9.3.2 MAC Address Filter
Every device that can use a WiFi network has a unique identification number, called a MAC address.
MAC address is usually written using twelve hexadecimal characters
00:A0:C5:00:00:02. To get the MAC address for each device in the WiFi network, see the device's User's
Guide or other documentation.
You can use the MAC address filter to tell the Zyxel Device which devices are allowed or not allowed to
use the WiFi network. If a device is allowed to use the WiFi network, it still has to have the correct
information (SSID, channel, and security). If a device is not allowed to use the WiFi network, it does not
matter if it has the correct information.
This type of security does not protect the information that is sent in the WiFi network. Furthermore, there
are ways for unauthorized WiFi devices to get the MAC address of an authorized device. Then, they can
use that MAC address to use the WiFi network.
9.9.3.3 Encryption
WiFi networks can use encryption to protect the information that is sent in the WiFi network. Encryption is
like a secret code. If you do not know the secret code, you cannot understand the message.
1. Some wireless devices, such as scanners, can detect WiFi networks but cannot use WiFi networks. These kinds
of wireless devices might not have MAC addresses.
2. Hexadecimal characters are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E, and F.
Chapter 9 Wireless
NBG7510 User's Guide
121
2
; for example, 00A0C5000002 or
1
A