Understanding Wg302 Wireless Security Options - NETGEAR WG302 - 802.11g ProSafe Wireless Access Point Reference Manual

Understanding WG302 Wireless Security Options

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 WG302 Access Point provides highly effective security features which
are covered in detail in this chapter. Deploy the security features appropriate to your needs.
WG302
ProSafeWireless Access Point
802.11b
PWR LAN Wireless LAN
Figure 3-1: WG302 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 PCs so that
unknown PCs cannot wirelessly connect to the WG302. 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.
• Use 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.
Basic Installation and Configuration
Reference Manual for the WG302 802.11g ProSafe Wireless Access Point
Wireless Data
Security Options
Range: Up to 500 Foot Radius
MODEL ME103
1) Open System: Easy but no security
2) MAC Access List: No data security
3) WEP: Security but some vulnerabilities
December 2003
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