Enhancing the Security of Your Network
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
settings of mywifiext.net. The WiFi range extender provides highly effective
security features, Indoors, computers can connect over 802.11b/g wireless
networks at ranges of up to 300 feet. Such distances can allow for others
outside of your immediate area to access your network. There are several ways
you can enhance the secur ity of your wireless network in mywifiext set
up. Restrict access based on MAC
address.
You
can restrict access to only trusted computers so that unknown computers cannot
wirelessly connect to the WPN824EXT in mywifiext.net. 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. • WEP. Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) data encryption
provides data security.
WEP Shared Key authentication and WEP data
encryption block all but the most determined eavesdropper. Wi-Fi Protected
Access–Pre-Shared Key (WPA-PSK) data encryption provides strong data security.
WPA-PSK blocks eavesdropping, Because
this is a new standard, wireless device driver and software availability might
be limited. Wireless Settings Record Before customizing your wireless settings,
NETGEAR recommends that you print this section and record the following
information. If you are working with an existing wireless network, the person
who set up or is responsible for the network can provide this information.
Otherwise, you will choose the settings for
your wireless network. Either way, record the settings for your wireless
network in the spaces below. Wireless
network name (SSID). The SSID identifies the wireless network. You can use up
to 32 alphanumeric characters. The SSID is casesensitive. The SSID in the
wireless adapter card must match the SSID of the WiFi range extender. In some
configuration utilities (such as in Windows XP), the term “wireless network name”
is used instead of SSID. If WEP
authentication is used. Circle one: Open System, Shared Key, or Auto. If you
select Shared Key, the other devices in the network will not connect unless
they are set to Shared Key as well and are configured with the correct key, WEP
encryption key size. Choose one: 64-bit or 128-bit in mywifiext.net set up.
Again, the encryption key size must be the
same for the wireless adapters and the WiFi range extender. – Data encryption
(WEP) keys. There are two methods for creating WEP data encryption keys.
Whichever method you use, record the key values in the spaces below. Passphrase
method,
These characters are casesensitive.
Enter a word or group of printable characters, and click the Generate Keys
button. Not all wireless devices support the passphrase method. If WPA-PSK
authentication is used. – Passphrase.
These characters are case-sensitive. Enter a word or group of printable
characters. When you use WPA-PSK, the other devices in the network will not
connect unless they are set to WPA-PSK as well and are configured with the
correct passphrase. Use the procedures described in this chapter to configure
the WiFi range extender. Store this information in a safe place.
Comments
Post a Comment