Linksys WRT54GL manual Appendix B Wireless Security, Security Precautions

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Wireless-G Broadband Router

Appendix B: Wireless Security

Linksys wants to make wireless networking as safe and easy for you as possible. The current generation of Linksys products provide several network security features, but they require specific action on your part for implementation. So, keep the following in mind whenever you are setting up or using your wireless network.

Security Precautions

The following is a complete list of security precautions to take (at least steps 1 through 5 should be followed):

1.Change the default SSID.

2.Disable SSID Broadcast.

3.Change the default password for the Administrator account.

4.Enable MAC Address Filtering.

5.Change the SSID periodically.

6.Use the highest encryption algorithm possible. Use WPA if it is available. Please note that this may reduce your network performance.

7.Change the WEP encryption keys periodically.

For information on implementing these security features, refer to “Chapter 6: Configuring the Wireless-G Broadband Router.”

Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks

Wireless networks are easy to find. Hackers know that in order to join a wireless network, wireless networking products first listen for “beacon messages”. These messages can be easily decrypted and contain much of the network’s information, such as the network’s SSID (Service Set Identifier). Here are the steps you can take:

Change the administrator’s password regularly. With every wireless networking device you use, keep in mind that network settings (SSID, WEP keys, etc.) are stored in its firmware. Your network administrator is the only person who can change network settings. If a hacker gets a hold of the administrator’s password, he, too, can change those settings. So, make it harder for a hacker to get that information. Change the administrator’s password regularly.

Appendix B: Wireless Security

NOTE: Some of these security features are available only through the network router or access point. Refer to the router or access point’s documentation for more information.

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Security Precautions

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Contents 802 GHz .11g Wireless- G Word definition How to Use This User GuideCopyright and Trademarks Table of Contents Appendix C Upgrading Firmware Appendix D Windows Help Appendix a TroubleshootingAppendix B Wireless Security Common Problems and Solutions Frequently Asked QuestionsRouter’s Back Panel List of Figures23 Setup Wizard’s Configure Wireless Settings Screen 19 Wireless Tab Wireless Security WPA2 Personal Figure E-5 MAC Address Clone Welcome IntroductionWhat’s in this User Guide? Wireless-G Broadband Router Network Topology Planning Your Wireless NetworkAd-Hoc versus Infrastructure Mode Ssid service set identifier your wireless network’s namePlanning Your Wireless Network Network Layout Back Panel Getting to Know the Wireless-G Broadband RouterCisco logo Front PanelOverview Connecting the Wireless-G Broadband RouterConnecting Your Network Devices Connecting Another Router Hardware Installation for Connection to Another RouterConnecting Your Network Devices Using the Setup Wizard Setting up the Wireless-G Broadband RouterSetup Wizard’s Disconnect the Modem from PC Screen Setup Wizard’s Connect a Network Cable to a PC Screen Setup Wizard’s Power on the Router Screen Cable or Dhcp Setup Wizard’s Check the Router’s Status ScreenStatic IP DSL PPPoEPptp L2TP Telstra 16 Setup Wizard’s Advanced Internet Settings Telstra Screen18 Setup Wizard’s Configure Wireless Settings Screen 19 Setup Wizard’s SecureEasySetup Screen Using the Router’s SecureEasySetup Feature24 Setup Wizard’s Confirm New Settings Screen 26 Setup Wizard’s Congratulations Screen 27 Setup Wizard’s Configure Wireless Settings Screen Manually Configuring the Router’s Wireless SettingsWPA-PSK WEP 128-Bit WEP 64-Bit33 Setup Wizard’s Congratulations Screen 34 Setup Wizard’s Welcome Start Wizard Screen Using SecureEasySetup to Configure Your Notebook37 Configure Wireless Settings #2 Screen 38 Your Wireless Settings Screen Configuring the Wireless-G Broadband Router Internet Setup Setup Tab Basic SetupPPPoE Connection Type Optional Settings Router IP 12 Setup Tab Ddns Setup Tab Ddns13 Setup Tab MAC Address Clone Setup Tab MAC Address Clone14 Setup Tab Advanced Routing Gateway Setup Tab Advanced RoutingWireless Tab Basic Wireless Settings 17 Wireless Tab Wireless Security WPA Personal Wireless Tab Wireless Security20 Wireless Tab Wireless Security WPA2 Enterprise 21 Wireless Tab Wireless Security Radius 23 Wireless Tab Wireless MAC Filter Wireless Tab Wireless MAC FilterSetting Wireless Tab Advanced Wireless SettingsWireless-G Broadband Router Security Tab VPN Passthrough Security Tab FirewallTo create an Internet Access policy Access Restrictions Tab Internet AccessTo create an Inbound Traffic policy 31 Port Services33 Applications and Gaming Tab Port Range Forward Applications and Gaming Tab Port Range ForwardPort Triggering Applications & Gaming Tab Port TriggeringEthernet Port Priority Applications and Gaming Tab DMZApplications and Gaming Tab QoS Device PriorityApplication Port Priority Administration Tab Log Administration Tab Management39 Administration Tab Diagnostics Administration Tab DiagnosticsAdministration Tab Config Management Administration Tab Factory DefaultsAdministration Tab Firmware Upgrade 45 Status Tab Router Status Tab Router46 Status Tab Local Network Status Tab Local Network48 Status Tab Wireless Status Tab WirelessNeed to set a static IP address on a PC Appendix a TroubleshootingCommon Problems and Solutions Wireless-G Broadband Router Open a command prompt. For Windows 98SE and Me TCP Application Start and End Protocol IP Address EnabledCan’t get the Internet game, server, or application to work Wireless-G Broadband Router My DSL service’s PPPoE is always disconnecting To start over, I need to set the Router to factory defaultNeed to upgrade the firmware Firmware upgrade failed, and/or the Power LED is flashingPower LED keeps flashing Frequently Asked Questions Does the Router support ICQ send file? What is Network Address Translation and what is it used for?How can I block corrupted FTP downloads? Is the Router cross-platform compatible? What is DMZ Hosting?What are the advanced features of the Router? What is the Ieee 802.11g standard?What is ad-hoc mode? What is the Ieee 802.11b standard?What Ieee 802.11g features are supported? What Ieee 802.11b features are supported?What is DSSS? What is FHSS? And what are their differences? What is ISM band?What is Spread Spectrum? How do I resolve issues with signal loss? What is WEP?What is a MAC Address? How do I reset the Router?Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks Appendix B Wireless SecuritySecurity Precautions Appendix B Wireless Security Wireless-G Broadband Router Appendix C Upgrading Firmware Network Neighborhood/My Network Places Appendix D Windows HelpShared Resources Windows 2000 or XP Instructions Windows 98SE or Me InstructionsFigure E-4 MAC Address Filter List For the Router’s Web-based UtilityAppendix F Glossary Wireless-G Broadband Router Wireless-G Broadband Router Wireless-G Broadband Router Wireless-G Broadband Router Wireless-G Broadband Router Wireless-G Broadband Router Operating Temp 0ºC to 40ºC 32ºF to 104ºF Appendix G SpecificationsWireless Security StandardsStorage Humidity Storage TempOperating Humidity Limited Warranty Appendix H Warranty InformationFCC Statement Appendix I Regulatory InformationSafety Notices Appendix J Contact Information