Linksys WGA54G manual Appendix B Wireless Security, Security Precautions

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Wireless-G Game Adapter

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 (as shown in this User Guide) (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.

To ensure network security, steps one through five should be followed, at least.

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 Wireless- G Word definition Copyright and TrademarksTable of Contents Appendix B Wireless Security Leds List of FiguresXbox’s Settings Screen Introduction WelcomeAdapter a device that adds network functionality to your PC What’s in this Guide? Wireless-G Game Adapter Network Topology Planning Your Wireless NetworkRoaming Network LayoutPlanning Your Wireless Network Network Layout Game Adapter’s LEDs Getting to Know the Wireless-G Game AdapterGame Adapter’s Side Panel Fast Setup for the Wireless-G Game Adapter OverviewInstructions Connecting the Game Adapter to Your Computer Searching for the Game Adapter Screen Starting the Setup WizardSetup Wizard’s Password Screen Easy Setup Wizard Configuration for Head-to-Head PlaySetup Wizard’s Head to Head Setup Screen Setup Wizard’s Congratulations Screen Advanced Setup Wizard Configuration for Head-to-Head Play11 Setup Wizard’s Head to Head Setup Screen 13 Setup Wizard’s Security Settings Screen WEP 15 Setup Wizard’s Network Settings 17 Setup Wizard’s Congratulations Screen Setup Wizard Configuration for Internet Play19 Setup Wizard’s Basic Settings Screen 21 Setup Wizard’s Security Settings Screen WPA Personal 23 Setup Wizard’s Confirmation Screen Connecting the Game Adapter to Your Game ConsoleConnecting the Game Adapter to Your Xbox Setting up the Wireless-G Game Adapter for XboxXbox’s Settings Screen Setting up the Game Adapter Using Your XboxXbox’s Advanced Screen Xbox’s Wireless Settings Screen Encryption encoding data transmitted in a network Xbox’s Select Network Screen12 Xbox’s Security KEY Screen 14 Xbox’s Wireless Status Screen Wireless-G Game Adapter Accessing the Web Configuration Utility Using the Wireless-G Game Adapter Web Configuration UtilityUtility’s Setup Screen Setup TabWEP Encryption LAN Advanced Settings TabSecurity Utility’s Help Screen Help TabCommon Problems and Solutions Appendix a TroubleshootingDon’t know how to change the Game Adapter’s IP address Setup Wizard doesn’t seem to work properly What is the Ieee 802.11b standard? Frequently Asked Questions What is the Ieee 802.11g standard? What Ieee 802.11b features are supported?What is infrastructure mode? What is ad-hoc mode?What is roaming? What is ISM band?What is DSSS? What is FHSS? And what are their differences? What is Spread Spectrum?What is WEP? What is WPA?Appendix B Wireless Security Security PrecautionsSecurity Threats Facing Wireless Networks Appendix B Wireless Security Wireless-G Game Adapter Appendix C Glossary Wireless-G Game Adapter Wireless-G Game Adapter Wireless-G Game Adapter Wireless-G Game Adapter Wireless-G Game Adapter Wireless-G Game Adapter WGA54G Appendix D SpecificationsOperating Humidity Limited Warranty Appendix E Warranty InformationFCC Statement Appendix F Regulatory InformationEC Declaration of Conformity Europe Appendix G Contact Information