Wireless Security Options; Figure - NETGEAR WG602 - 54 Mbps Wireless Access Point Reference Manual

NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless Access Point WG602v3 Reference Manual

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 Wireless AP provides highly effective security features which are
covered in detail in this chapter. Deploy the security features appropriate to your needs.
WG602v3

Figure 2-10

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 WG602v3. MAC address filtering adds an
obstacle against unwanted access to your network, but the data broadcast over the wireless link
is fully exposed (see
• 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 an eavesdropper but because
the keys are static, a determined snoop can learn the keys in less than a day of eavesdropping
(see "Configuring WEP Wireless Security" on page
2-12
Wireless Data
Security Options
Range: Up to 300 Foot Radius
1) Open System: Easy but no security
2) MAC Access List: No data security
3) WEP:Secure but some vulnerabilities
4) WPA/WPA2: Very strong security
"Restricting Wireless Access by MAC Address" on page
v1.0, August 2006
2-16).
Installation and Configuration
2-19).