D-Link DGL-4300 User Manual

Page 56

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Using the Configuration Interface

56

D-Link Systems, Inc.

4. Changing the Wireless Network Name (SSID - used for wireless devices only)
It is always a good idea to change the wireless network name (SSID) from the default value. Leaving

it in the default state is usually a good indication to intruders that all settings (including security) are

probably defaults. This setting identifies your wireless network. Make sure that the name you choose

is not commonly known or something that is easy to guess. Try using a combination of letters and

numbers to add complexity to it.

5. Set the Visibility Status to Invisible
Wireless routers typically broadcast the wireless network name (SSID) to users attempting to connect

to a wireless network. By setting the Visibility Status to Invisible, all devices attempting to connect

to the router will need to know the wireless network name (SSID) in order to connect.

6. Enable WPA Personal or Enterprise
Along with changing the wireless network name and setting the visibility status to invisible, we

highly recommended that you enable some sort of encryption feature. There are different methods

of securing wireless transmissions, but the most effective is WPA-Personal and WPA-Enterprise.

WPA-Personal is easier to configure but does not offer the extensive level of security that WPA

Enterprise does. If you have the infrastructure to support WPA Enterprise, we recommend that you

use this method. If not, then WPA-Personal will suffice.

7. Set up MAC Filtering
Each networking device (router, access point, wireless card, etc.) on a network contains a unique

hexadecimal number that identifies that specific product. This number is referred to as a MAC

address. MAC filtering allows you to create a list of the MAC address of each device on your network

and only allows these specific devices to associate with your network. With this feature enabled,

devices attempting to connect to your network with a MAC address that is not in the list you created,

will be denied access.

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