Wireless Networking and Security

TRENDnet User’s Guide

How to choose the type of security for your wireless network

Setting up wireless security is very important. Leaving your wireless network open and unsecure could expose your entire network and personal files to outsiders. TRENDnet recommends reading through this entire section and setting up wireless security on your new router.

There are a few different wireless security types supported in wireless networking each having its own characteristics which may be more suitable for your wireless network taking into consideration compatibility, performance, as well as the security strength along with using older wireless networking hardware (also called legacy hardware).

It is strongly recommended to enable wireless security to prevent unwanted users from accessing your network and network resources (personal documents, media, etc.).

In general, it is recommended that you choose the security type with the highest strength and performance supported by the wireless computers and devices in your network. Please review the security types to determine which one you should use for your network.

Wireless Encryption Types

•WEP: Legacy encryption method supported by older 802.11b/g hardware. This is the oldest and least secure type of wireless encryption. It is generally not recommended to use this encryption standard, however if you have old 802.11 b or 802.11g wireless adapters or computers with old embedded wireless cards(wireless clients), you may have to set your router to WEP to allow the old adapters to connect to the router.

Note: This encryption standard will limit connection speeds to 54Mbps.

TEW-691GR

•WPA: This encryption is significantly more robust than the WEP technology. Much of the older 802.11g hardware was been upgraded (with firmware/driver upgrades) to support this encryption standard. Total wireless speeds under this encryption type however are limited to 54Mbps.

•WPA-Auto: This setting provides the router with the ability to detect wireless devices using either WPA or WPA2 encryption. Your wireless network will automatically change the encryption setting based on the first wireless device connected. For example, if the first wireless client that connects to your wireless network uses WPA encryption your wireless network will use WPA encryption. Only when all wireless clients disconnect to the network and a wireless client with WPA2 encryption connects your wireless network will then change to WPA2 encryption. NOTE: WPA2 encryption supports 802.11n speeds and WPA encryption will limit your connection speeds to 54Mbps

•WPA2: This is the most secure wireless encryption available today, similar to WPA encryption but more robust. This encryption standard also supports the highest connection speeds. TRENDnet recommends setting your router to this encryption standard. If you find that one of your wireless network devices does not support WPA2 encryption, then set your router to either WPA or WPA-Auto encryption.

Note: Check the specifications of your wireless network adapters and wireless appliances to verify the highest level of encryption supported.