Encryption; Table 10 Types Of Encryption For Each Type Of Authentication - ZyXEL Communications NXC-8160 User Manual

Unauthorized devices can still see the information that is sent in the wireless network, even if
they cannot use the wireless network. Furthermore, there are ways for unauthorized wireless
users to get a valid user name and password. Then, they can use that user name and password
to use the wireless network.
Local user databases also have an additional limitation that is explained in the next section.

5.2.3 Encryption

Wireless networks can use encryption to protect the information that is sent in the wireless
network. Encryption is like a secret code. If you do not know the secret code, you cannot
understand the message.
The types of encryption you can choose depend on the type of user authentication. (See
Section 5.2.2 on page 48

Table 10 Types of Encryption for Each Type of Authentication

Weakest
Strongest
For example, if the wireless network has a RADIUS server, you can choose WEP + 802.1x
(LEAP) or WPA. If users do not log in to the wireless network, you can choose no encryption,
WEP or WPA-PSK.
Usually, you should set up the strongest encryption that every wireless client in the wireless
network supports. For example, suppose the AP does not have a local user database, and you
do not have a RADIUS server. Therefore, there is no user authentication. Suppose the wireless
network has two wireless clients. Device A only supports WEP, and device B supports WEP
and WPA. Therefore, you should set up WEP in the wireless network.
It is recommended that wireless clients use WPA-PSK, WPA, or stronger
encryption. IEEE 802.1x and WEP encryption are better than none at all, but it
is still possible for unauthorized devices to figure out the original information
pretty quickly.
It is not possible to use WPA-PSK, WPA or stronger encryption with a local
user database. In this case, it is better to set up stronger encryption with no
authentication than to set up weaker encryption with the local user database.
NXC-8160 User's Guide
for information about this.)
NO AUTHENTICATION
No Security
WEP
WPA-PSK
Chapter 5 Wireless LAN
RADIUS SERVER
WEP + 802.1x (LEAP)
WPA
49