Linksys EA6900 How to improve security using the built-in firewall, Changing firewall settings

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Linksys EA-Series

How to improve security using the built-in firewall

Why would I need to change my security settings? By default, the firewall settings in your router have been optimized for most home environments, so no changes are needed. The SPI (Stateful Packet Inspection) firewall is enabled by default. In addition, anonymous Internet requests and IDENT requests are filtered by default. All web filters are disabled, because enabling them may cause problems for sites that depend on ActiveX controls, Java, or cookies.

Changing firewall settings

To change your firewall settings:

1.Log into Linksys Smart Wi-Fi. (See “How to connect to Linksys Smart Wi- Fi” on page 7.

2.Under Router Settings, click Security. The Security page opens to the Firewall tab.

3.You can now change the following settings:

TIP

For more descriptions of each setting, click Help at the top of the screen.

Firewall: SPI firewall protection—This helps protect your local network from Internet threats. This option is enabled by default. On some router models, this setting is separated into IPv6 and IPv4 options so that each can be handled separately.

CAUTION

To help protect your network, you should keep this option enabled.

Setting Up: Advanced

VPN Passthrough:

••IPSec Passthrough IPSec (Internet Protocol Security) is a suite of protocols used to implement secure exchange of packets at the IP layer. The VPN clients on the local network can establish an IPSec VPN tunnel through the router. This option is enabled by default.

••PPTP Passthrough PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol) allows the PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol) to be tunneled through an IP network. The VPN clients on the local network can establish a PPTP VPN tunnel through the router. This option is enabled by default.

••L2TP Passthrough L2TP (Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol) enables point-to-point sessions using the Internet on the Layer 2 level. The VPN clients on the local network can establish an L2TP VPN tunnel through the router. This option is enabled by default.

Internet filters:

••Filter anonymous Internet requests—This filter blocks Internet requests from unknown sources such as ping requests. This option is enabled by default.

••Filter multicast—Multicasting allows a single transmission to simultaneously reach specific recipients within your local network. Select this option to block multicasting. This option is disabled by default.

••Filter Internet NAT redirection—This filter prevents a local computer from using a URL or Internet IP address to access the local server. Select this option to enable the filter. This option is disabled by default. On some router models, this setting applies to IPv4 Internet only.

••Filter ident (Port 133)—This filter prevents port 133 from being scanned by devices from the Internet. This option is enabled by default.

4.Click Save to save your changes.

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Contents User Guide Contents Specifications Package contents FeaturesProduct Overview EA6900Top view Home theater readyPort activity indicators Back viewWall-mounting placement Wall-mounting templateSetting Up Basics How to create a home networkWhere to find more help What is a network?How to install your router To install your routerTo connect to Linksys Smart Wi-Fi How to configure your routerHow to connect to Linksys Smart Wi-Fi How to connect directly to your router How to improve your wireless connection speedHow to disable remote access To disable remote accessHow to change your network’s name and password How to change your router’s local access passwordTo change your router’s name and password Under Router Settings, click WirelessHow to test your Internet connection speed How to change your router’s time zoneTo set your router’s time zone To test your Internet connection speedHow to connect devices to your network How to connect a computer to your networkHow to connect a USB printer To connect a computer to your networkHow to connect a network device using Wi-Fi Protected Setup How to connect other devicesHow to manually connect a network device How to view device details To view network device detailsTo set parental controls How to set up parental controlsHow to set parental controls How to configure your guest network Under Block specific sites, click AddHow to back up your router configuration To set up guest access to your networkCustomizing the Device List How to customize Linksys Smart Wi-FiUsing widgets Overview Using an External DriveHow to attach a USB drive To enable access to shared folders How to use secured folder accessHow to set up authorized users and shared folders Click Add User How to access shared foldersTo access shared folders while on your network How to set up your router as a media server To configure your router as a media serverTo connect an UPnP device to your router’s media server How to remotely access storageTo set up the FTP server Linksys EA-Series Setting Up Advanced How to manually set up your routerHow to manually set up your Internet connection How to configure basic Internet connection settingsIPv6 Internet connection settings To manually configure your router’s IPv6 settingsHow to get the most out of your dual- band router To reconfigure your wireless networkHow to control access to your network Mixed Wireless-N Only Wireless-G OnlyWireless-N Only 802.11n only Wireless-AC Only Auto 20 MHz or 40 Mhz MHz OnlySetting Up Advanced How to improve security using the built-in firewall Changing firewall settingsTo change your firewall settings VPN PassthroughHow to set up the Dhcp server on your router Changing IPv6 firewall settingsTo set IPv6 firewall settings To configure your router’s Dhcp server settingsHow to set up Dhcp reservation To configure Dhcp reservationHappyBunny.linksysnet.com1024 How to access your network on the InternetTo set up Ddns How to clone a MAC address How to connect to your corporate office using a VPNClick the Internet Settings tab To change your VPN passthrough settingsHow to optimize your router for gaming and voice To configure media prioritizationHow to enable Voice over IP on your network Set the maximum Upstream BandwidthTo configure UPnP How to configure UPnPTo configure the router for VoIP How to use a router as an access point To view your new router’s settingsTo add your router to an existing router or gateway How to put your new router behind an existing routerTo add your router to your existing wireless network To share an Internet connection To add another router to share an Internet connectionTo use their DNS How to expose a device to the Internet To extend your network or add wireless capabilitiesTo set up a device in the DMZ To extend your networkSetting Up Advanced How to set up port forwarding How to set up port forwarding for a single portTo set up single port forwarding Port Forwarding and Port TriggeringTo set up single port forwarding for multiple ports How to set up port forwarding for multiple portsHow to set up port forwarding for a range of ports Click Add a new Port Range Forwarding How to set up port range triggering for online gamingTo set up port range forwarding Click Add a new Port Range Triggering How to back up and restore your router configuration To back up your router configurationUnder Router Settings, click Troubleshooting To restore your router configurationHow to upgrade the router’s firmware How to restore factory defaultsHow to check the status of your router To disable the lights How to disable the Ethernet port status lightsHow to test your Internet connection How to configure and use logs To enable and view logsTroubleshooting Your router was not successfully set upWindows XP Service Pack update To install Service PackMessage To fix the problemTo fix the problem on Windows computers Linksys EA-Series After setup Linksys Smart Wi-Fi does not open in your web browserRebooting your router Internet appears to be unavailableYou cannot access Linksys Smart Wi-Fi All other troubleshooting has been unsuccessfulEnvironmental SpecificationsLinksys EA6900 8220-01617A00

EA6900 specifications

The Linksys EA6900 is a dual-band wireless router that stands out for its impressive performance and advanced features tailored to meet the demands of modern households. Designed to deliver reliable connectivity for multiple devices simultaneously, it supports the latest Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) technology, enabling faster speeds and improved coverage compared to older routers.

One of the main features of the EA6900 is its dual-band capability, which operates on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands. This allows users to connect to the less congested 5 GHz band for activities that require higher bandwidth, such as streaming HD video or online gaming, while still having the 2.4 GHz band available for basic activities like browsing and email.

The router provides a maximum throughput of up to 1900 Mbps, making it suitable for bandwidth-intensive applications. The beamforming technology further enhances the signal strength and reliability by focusing the wireless signal directly toward connected devices rather than broadcasting it in all directions. This results in better performance and coverage throughout the home, eliminating dead zones and improving connectivity in challenging locations.

The Linksys EA6900 also features four Gigabit Ethernet ports, allowing wired connections for devices such as gaming consoles, PCs, and smart TVs, which benefit from stable and high-speed connections. Additionally, it comes equipped with a USB 3.0 port for sharing files and media across the network, allowing users to connect external storage devices for easy access to data.

Another key characteristic of the EA6900 is its user-friendly interface, facilitated by the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi app. This application allows users to manage their network settings remotely, including monitoring connected devices, setting parental controls, and prioritizing bandwidth for specific applications or devices.

Security is a top priority for the Linksys EA6900, featuring WPA2 encryption and a built-in firewall to protect the network from unauthorized access and threats. The router also supports IPv6, ensuring compatibility with the latest internet protocols.

In summary, the Linksys EA6900 is a robust and versatile router that combines advanced technology with user-friendly features, making it an excellent choice for households with multiple devices requiring reliable connectivity. With its dual-band capability, impressive speed, and enhanced security measures, it provides users with the performance they need for today’s connected lifestyle.