ZyXEL G-220 v3 User’s Guide

•Every device in the same wireless network must use security compatible with the AP or peer computer.

Security stops unauthorized devices from using the wireless network. It can also protect the information that is sent in the wireless network.

3.2Wireless LAN Security

Wireless LAN security is vital to your network to protect wireless communications.

Configure the wireless LAN security using the Configuration or the Profile Security Setting screen. If you do not enable any wireless security on your G-220 v3, the G-220 v3’s wireless communications are accessible to any wireless networking device that is in the coverage area.

Note: You can only use WEP encryption if you set the G-220 v3 to Ad-hoc or AP mode.

See the appendices for more detailed information about wireless security.

3.2.1 Hide SSID

Normally, the G-220 v3 in AP mode acts like a beacon and regularly broadcasts the SSID in the area. You can hide the SSID instead, in which case the G-220 v3 in AP mode does not broadcast the SSID. In addition, you should change the default SSID to something that is difficult to guess.

This type of security is fairly weak, however, because there are ways for unauthorized wireless devices to get the SSID. In addition, unauthorized wireless devices can still see the information that is sent in the wireless network.

3.2.2 MAC Address Filter

Every device that can use a wireless network has a unique identification number, called a MAC address.1 A MAC address is usually written using twelve hexadecimal characters2; for example, 00A0C5000002 or 00:A0:C5:00:00:02. To get the MAC address for each device in the wireless network, see the device’s User’s Guide or other documentation.

You can use the MAC address filter to tell the G-220 v3 in AP mode which devices are allowed or not allowed to use the wireless network. If a device is allowed to use the wireless network, it still has to have the correct information (SSID, channel, and security). If a device is not allowed to use the wireless network, it does not matter if it has the correct information.

1.Some wireless devices, such as scanners, can detect wireless networks but cannot use wireless networks. These kinds of wireless devices might not have MAC addresses.

2.Hexadecimal characters are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E, and F.

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Chapter 3 Wireless LAN Network