Understanding Wireless Security Options - NETGEAR WG602NA User Manual

User's Guide for the WG602 v3 54 Mbps Wireless Access Point

Understanding Wireless Security Options

The table below identifies the various basic wireless security options. A full explanation of these
standards is available in
Table 3-1. Basic Wireless Security Options
Field
Off
WEP
WPA-PSK
3-13
Appendix B, "Wireless Networking
Description
No wireless security.
WEP offers the following options:
• Open System
With Open Network Authentication and 64- or 128-bit WEP Data Encryption, the
WG602 v3 does perform 64- or 128-bit data encryption but does not perform any
authentication.
• Shared Key
Shared Key authentication encrypts the SSID and data.
Choose the Encryption Strength (64- or 128-bit data encryption). Manually enter
the key values or enter a word or group of printable characters in the Passphrase
box. Manually entered keys are case sensitive but passphrase characters are not
case sensitive.
Note: Not all wireless adapter configuration utilities support passphrase key
generation.
• Auto
WPA-Pre-shared Key does perform authentication, uses 128-bit data encryption
and dynamically changes the encryption keys making it nearly impossible to
circumvent.
Enter a word or group of printable characters in the Password Phrase box. These
characters are case sensitive.
Note: Not all wireless adapter configuration utilities support WPA. Furthermore,
client software is required on the client. Windows XP and Windows 2000 with
Service Pack 3 do include the client software that supports WPA. Nevertheless, the
wireless adapter hardware and driver must also support WPA.
202-10060-01, September 2004
Basics".
Basic Installation and Configuration