Wireless Security Options - NETGEAR Wireless-N 150 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 modem router 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:
Figure 2-1
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 that
unknown PCs cannot wirelessly connect to the wireless modem 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 (see
page 2-9).
• 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 wireless network
discovery feature of some products, such as Windows XP, but the data is still exposed (see
"Hiding your wireless network name (SSID)" on page
Configuring Your Wireless Network and Security Settings
Wireless-N 150 ADSL2+ Modem Router DGN1000 User Manual
v1.1, January 2010
"Restricting access by MAC address" on
2-8).
2-3