NETGEAR FWG114P v2 manual Implementing Appropriate Wireless Security

Reference Manual for the ProSafe Wireless 802.11g Firewall/Print Server Model FWG114P v2

Implementing Appropriate Wireless Security

Note: Indoors, computers can connect to wireless networks at ranges of 300 feet or more. Such distances allow others outside of your area to access your network.

Unlike wired network data, your wireless data transmissions can extend beyond your walls and can be received by anyone with a compatible adapter. For this reason, use the security features of your wireless equipment. The FWG114P v2 Wireless Firewall/Print Server provides highly effective security features which are covered in detail in this chapter.

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Figure 4-1: FWG114P v2 wireless data security options

There are several ways you can enhance the security of your wireless network:

•Restrict Access Based on MAC Address. You can allow only trusted PCs to connect so that unknown PCs cannot wirelessly connect to the FWG114P v2. Restricting access by MAC address adds an obstacle against unwanted access to your network, but the data broadcast over the wireless link is fully exposed.

•Turn Off the Broadcast of the Wireless Network Name SSID. If you disable broadcast of the SSID, only devices that have the correct SSID can connect. This nullifies wireless network ‘discovery’ feature of some products, such as Windows XP, but the data is still exposed.

•WEP. Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) data encryption provides data security. WEP Shared Key authentication and WEP data encryption will block all but the most determined eavesdropper.

4-2 Wireless Configuration

201-10301-02, May 2005