Dynex DX-WEGRTR Securing your Wi-Fi®Network

26 Setting up your wireless router

Using the Broadcast SSID Feature

Note: This advanced feature should be employed by advanced users only.

For security, you can choose not to broadcast your network's SSID. Doing so will keep your network name hidden from computers that are scanning for the presence of wireless networks. To turn off the broadcast of the SSID, remove the check mark from the box next to Broadcast SSID, then click Apply Changes. The change is immediate. Each computer now needs to be set to connect to your specific SSID; an SSID of ANY will no longer be accepted. Refer to the documentation of your wireless network adapter for information on making this change.

Protected Mode Switch–As part of the 802.11g specification, Protected mode ensures proper operation of 802.11g clients and access points when there is heavy 802.11b traffic in the operating environment. When Protected mode is ON, 802.11g scans for other wireless network traffic before it transmits data. Therefore, using this mode in environments with HEAVY 802.11b traffic or interference achieves best performance results. If you are in an environment with very little-or no-other wireless network traffic, your best performance will be achieved with Protected mode OFF.

Securing your Wi-Fi® Network

Here are a few different ways you can maximize the security of your wireless network and protect your data from prying eyes and ears. This section is intended for the home, home office, and small office user.

At the time of this User Manual's publication, there are four encryption methods available.

	64-Bit Wired	128-Bit Wired	Wi-Fi Protected	Wi-Fi Protected
Name	Equivalent	Equivalent
			Access-TKIP	Access 2
	Privacy	Privacy
Acronym	64-bit WEP	128-bit WEP	WPA-TKIP/AES (or just	WPA2-AES (or just
			WPA)	WPA2)
Security	Good	Better	Best	Best
	Static keys	Static keys	Dynamic key	Dynamic key
Features			encryption and	encryption and
			mutual	mutual
			authentication	authentication
	Encryption keys based	More secure than	TKIP (Temporal Key	AES (Advanced
	on RC4 algorithm	64-bit WEP using a	Integrity Protocol)	Encryption Standard)
	(typically 40-bit keys)	key length of 104 bits	added so that keys are	does not cause any
		plus 24 additional bits	rotated and	throughput loss
		of system generated	encryption is
		data	strengthened