Appendix B: Wireless Security; Security Precautions; Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks - Linksys WAP54GPE - Wireless-G Exterior Access Point User Manual

Wireless-G Exterior Access Point

Appendix B: Wireless Security

Linksys wants to make wireless networking as safe and easy for you as possible. The current generation of
Linksys products provide several network security features, but they require specific action on your part for
implementation. So, keep the following in mind whenever you are setting up or using your wireless network.

Security Precautions

The following is a complete list of security precautions to take (as shown in this User Guide) (at least steps 1
through 5 should be followed):
1. Change the default SSID.
2. Disable SSID Broadcast.
3. Change the default password for the Administrator account.
4. Enable MAC Address Filtering.
5. Change the SSID periodically.
6. Use the highest encryption algorithm possible. Use WPA if it is available. Please note that this may
reduce your network performance.
7. Change the WEP encryption keys periodically.
To ensure network security, steps one through five should be followed, at least.

Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks

Wireless networks are easy to find. Hackers know that in order to join a wireless network, wireless
networking products first listen for "beacon messages". These messages can be easily decrypted and contain
much of the network's information, such as the network's SSID (Service Set Identifier). Here are the steps
you can take:
Change the administrator's password regularly. With every wireless networking device you use, keep in
mind that network settings (SSID, WEP keys, etc.) are stored in its firmware. Your network administrator is
the only person who can change network settings. If a hacker gets a hold of the administrator's password, he,
Appendix B: Wireless Security
Security Precautions
Note: Some of these security features are
available only through the network router or
access point. Refer to the router or access
point's documentation for more information.
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