Understanding Powerline Network Security - NETGEAR XAV101v2 - Powerline AV Ethernet Adapter User Manual

XAV101v2 Powerline AV 200 Adapter User Manual

Understanding Powerline Network Security

A Powerline network consists of two or more Powerline adapters using the same network
encryption key. Securing your network is crucial. By encrypting the information you send over
the Powerline AV 200 Adapter, you help to keep it secure from hackers. If you do not set up
security on your network, anyone nearby with a Powerline network can potentially use his or
her connection to gain access to your network and information you send over the Internet.
This is especially relevant in settings such as apartment buildings, office buildings, dorm
rooms, and other more populated areas.
Powerline devices connected to the same network must use an identical encryption key. The
security used by Powerline AV 200 Adapters is similar to the SSID and encryption keys used
in wireless networks, but you do not need software to configure Powerline AV 200 Adapters.
There are two ways to secure your Powerline network.
• Press the Security button located on your Powerline AV 200 Adapter to automatically
generate a random encryption key. See
• Use the Powerline Utility to configure your Powerline network with an encryption key that
you specify. If you are already using Powerline or HomePlug devices, then you will need
to use the Powerline Utility. For more information, see
Powerline Utility.
For information about using the Powerline Utility to configure Powerline security or to
prioritize Powerline network traffic using the Quality of Service (QoS) feature, see
Chapter 2.
Note: For information about how to return the XAV101v2 Powerline AV
200 Adapter to its factory default settings, see
Defaults on page 28.
Chapter 1. Installation and Basic Configuration
Changing the Default Encryption
Chapter 2, Using the XAV101v2
Resetting to Factory
on page 12.
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