Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks | Cisco Systems WRT54GP2

Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports

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.

SSID. There are several things to keep in mind about the SSID:

1.Disable Broadcast

2.Make it unique

3.Change it often

Most wireless networking devices will give you the option of broadcasting the SSID. While this option may be more convenient, it allows anyone to log into your wireless network. This includes hackers. So, don’t broadcast the SSID.

Wireless networking products come with a default SSID set by the factory. (The Linksys default SSID is “linksys”.) Hackers know these defaults and can check these against your network. Change your SSID to something unique and not something related to your company or the networking products you use.

82	Appendix B: Wireless Security
	Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks

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Cisco Systems WRT54GP2 manual Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks

Contents

Wireless- G Copyright and Trademarks How to Use this GuideWord definition Table of Contents Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports Wireless Security WPA Wireless SecurityWireless Security WEP Wireless Network Access 32 Administration Tab Log Introduction Welcome What’s in this Guide? Introduction What’s in this Guide? Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports Planning Your Wireless Network Ad-Hoc versus Infrastructure ModeSsid your wireless network’s name Network Topology Network Layout Back Panel Phone2 Front Panel Getting to Know the Router Front Panel Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports Connecting the Router Overview Connection Instructions Connect a PC Configuring the Router Wireless SetupSecurity Voice AdministrationApplications & Gaming How to Access the Web-based Utility Status Setup Tab Basic Setup Internet SetupInternet Connection Type Obtain an IP automatically Static IP PPPoE RAS for SingTel PPPoE Pptp Heart Beat Signal Heart Beat Signal Network Setup Optional SettingsRouter IP Packet a unit of data sent over a network Network Address Server Settings Dhcp Setup Tab Ddns Time Setting DynDNS.org TZO.com Setup Tab MAC Address Clone MAC Clone Setup Tab Advanced Routing 12 Setup Tab Advanced Routing 13 Routing Table Entry List Wireless Tab Basic Wireless Settings Wireless Tab Wireless Security 15 Wireless Tab Wireless Security WPA Pre-Shared Key 16 Wireless Tab Wireless Security WPA Radius Wireless Tab Wireless Network Access 18 Wireless Tab Wireless Network Access Wireless Tab Advanced Wireless Settings 20 Advanced Wireless Settings Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports Security Tab Filter Filter IP Address RangeFilter Port Range Filter MAC Address Block WAN Requests Internet requests Security Tab VPN Passthrough VPN Passthrough Voice Tab Applications & Gaming Tab Port Range ForwardingPort Range Forwarding Port Range 26 Applications & Gaming Tab Port Triggering UPnP Forwarding Applications & Gaming Tab UPnP ForwardingForwarded Range Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports Applications & Gaming Tab DMZ DMZ Applications & Gaming Tab QoS Application-based QoS Port-based QoS Specific Port# fields Voice QoS Administration Tab Management Router PasswordLocal Router Access Remote Router Access Backup and Restore UPnP Administration Tab Log Log Administration Tab Factory Defaults Administration Tab Firmware UpgradeRuns a networking device Firmware with a newer version Status Tab Voice InformationLine1 Status Line2 Status Status Tab Router 38 Status Tab Router Status Tab Local Network Local Network Status Tab Wireless Appendix a Troubleshooting Common Problems and Solutions For Windows 98 and Millennium Need to set a static IP address on a PC For Windows For Windows XP Want to test my Internet connection For Windows XP Configuring the Router for details Am not able to access the Router’s Web-based Utility Setup Need to set up a server behind my Router Application Start and End Protocol IP Address Enabled TCP Can’t get the Internet game, server, or application to work Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports To start over, I need to set the Router to factory default My DSL service’s PPPoE is always disconnectingFor Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher For Netscape 4.7 or higher Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports Need to use port triggering Frequently Asked Questions How do I make a phone call?Can I make calls if my Internet connection is down? Can I make calls while I’m browsing the Internet? Is IPSec Passthrough supported by the Router? Where is the Router installed on the network?Does the Router support IPX or AppleTalk? How can I block corrupted FTP downloads? Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports What is DMZ Hosting? If all else fails in the installation, what can I do?Will the Router function in a Macintosh environment? Is the Router cross-platform compatible? How many ports can be simultaneously forwarded?Which modems are compatible with the Router? How can I check whether I have static or Dhcp IP addresses? What is the Ieee 802.11g standard? What is the Ieee 802.11b 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 Spread Spectrum? What is DSSS? What is FHSS? And what are their differences? What is WEP?What is WPA? What is a MAC Address? How do I resolve issues with signal loss? Have excellent signal strength, but I cannot see my network Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports Appendix B Wireless Security Security Precautions Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports Figure C-1 IP Configuration Screen Windows 98 or Me Instructions Windows 2000 or XP Instructions For the Router’s Web-based Utility Shared Resources Appendix D Windows HelpNetwork Neighborhood/My Network Places Appendix D Windows Help Appendix E Glossary Appendix E Glossary Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports Appendix F Specifications ModelVoice Protocol UPnP able/cert Certified Warranty Year Limited Dimensions 32 x 1.89 x H x DStorage Humidity Appendix G Warranty Information Limited Warranty Appendix G Warranty Information Appendix H Regulatory Information FCC Statement Safety Notices Appendix I Contact Information Appendix I Contact Information