20 | Chapter 2: Safeguarding Your Network
N150 Wireless Router User Manual
Choosing Appropriate Wireless Security
Unlike wired networks, wireless networks allow anyone with a compatible adapter to receive
your wireless data transmissions well beyond your walls. Operating an unsecured wireless
network creates an opportunity for outsiders to eavesdrop on your network traffic or to enter
your network to access your computers and files. Indoors, computers can connect over
wireless networks at ranges of up to 300 feet. Such distances can allow for others outside
your immediate area to access your network. Use the security features of your wireless
equipment that are appropriate to your needs.
The time it takes to establish a wireless connection can vary depending on both your security
settings and router placement.
Stronger security methods can entail a cost in terms of throughput, latency, battery
consumption, and equipment compatibility. In choosing an appropriate security level, you can
also consider the effort compared to the reward for a hacker to break into your network. As a
minimum, however, NETGEAR recommends using WEP with Shared Key authentication. Do
not run an unsecured wireless network unless it is your intention to provide free Internet
access for the public.
WEP connections can take slightly longer to establish. Also, WEP, WPA-PSK, and
WPA2-PSK encryption can consume more battery power on a notebook computer, and can
cause significant performance degradation with a slow computer.
Note: NETGEAR recommends that you change the administration
password of your router. Default passwords are well known, and an
intruder can use your administrator access to read or disable your
security settings. For information about how to change the
administrator password, see Changing the Administrator Password
on page 38.