Chapter 2: wireless security checklist, General network security guidelines, Additional security tips – Cisco WRT310N User Manual

Page 7: Chapter 2, Wireless security checklist, Change the default wireless network name or ssid, Change the default password, Enable mac address filtering, Enable encryption

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Chapter 2

Wireless Security Checklist

6

Wireless-N Gigabit Router

Chapter 2:

Wireless Security Checklist

Wireless networks are convenient and easy to install, so

homes with high-speed Internet access are adopting them

at a rapid pace. Because wireless networking operates by

sending information over radio waves, it can be more

vulnerable to intruders than a traditional wired network.

Like signals from your cellular or cordless phones, signals

from your wireless network can also be intercepted. Since

you cannot physically prevent someone from connecting

to your wireless network, you need to take some additional

steps to keep your network secure.

1. Change the default wireless

network name or SSID

Wireless devices have a default wireless network name

or Service Set Identifier (SSID) set by the factory. This

is the name of your wireless network, and can be up

to 32 characters in length. Linksys wireless products

use linksys as the default wireless network name. You

should change the wireless network name to something

unique to distinguish your wireless network from other

wireless networks that may exist around you, but do not

use personal information (such as your Social Security

number) because this information may be available for

anyone to see when browsing for wireless networks.

2. Change the default password

For wireless products such as access points and routers,

you will be asked for a password when you want to change

their settings. These devices have a default password set

by the factory. The Linksys default password is admin.

Hackers know these defaults and may try to use them

to access your wireless device and change your network

settings. To thwart any unauthorized changes, customize

the device’s password so it will be hard to guess.

3. Enable MAC address filtering

Linksys routers give you the ability to enable Media Access

Control (MAC) address filtering. The MAC address is a

unique series of numbers and letters assigned to every

networking device. With MAC address filtering enabled,

wireless network access is provided solely for wireless

devices with specific MAC addresses. For example, you can

specify the MAC address of each computer in your home

so that only those computers can access your wireless

network.

4. Enable encryption

Encryption protects data transmitted over a wireless

network. Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA/WPA2) and Wired

Equivalency Privacy (WEP) offer different levels of security

for wireless communication.
A network encrypted with WPA/WPA2 is more secure

than a network encrypted with WEP, because WPA/WPA2

uses dynamic key encryption. To protect the information

as it passes over the airwaves, you should enable the

highest level of encryption supported by your network

equipment.

WEP is an older encryption standard and may be the

only option available on some older devices that do not

support WPA.

General Network Security Guidelines

Wireless network security is useless if the underlying

network is not secure.

Password protect all computers on the network and

individually password protect sensitive files.

Change passwords on a regular basis.

Install anti-virus software and personal firewall

software.

Disable file sharing (peer-to-peer). Some applications

may open file sharing without your consent and/or

knowledge.

Additional Security Tips

Keep wireless routers, access points, or gateways away

from exterior walls and windows.

Turn wireless routers, access points, or gateways

off when they are not being used (at night, during

vacations).

Use strong passphrases that are at least eight characters

in length. Combine letters and numbers to avoid using

standard words that can be found in the dictionary.

WEB:

For more information on wireless security,

visit www.linksysbycisco.com/security

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