User's Manual

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Security Overview
● Wireless Security
● Security Guidelines
● Protecting Your Network
Wireless Security
Since wireless networking devices transmit information through radio waves, it is imperative that you protect
your information by configuring your security settings. There are three main components that, when used
together, can protect your wireless network:
● Service Set Identifier (SSID) — The name of a device on a network, the SSID is the first level of
security, but it is not fool-proof because the access points broadcast the SSIDs across a wireless
network. This level of security is okay if you are on a peer-to-peer network without any access points,
but for larger networks, more complex security measures should be put in place.
● Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) — Supported by the IEEE 802.11 standard, WEP uses 64- or 128-bit
encryption keys to encrypt data as it is sent or received by each client on a wireless network. The way
these keys are authenticated determines the level of security on your wireless network. Using the
default keys, however, makes your wireless network vulnerable and you should not use them.
● Authentication Server — An authentication server works with each client to authenticate access with a
session-specific WEP key. This type of server protects sensitive user and password information from
intruders.
Security Guidelines
The following can help to achieve maximum security for your wireless network:
1. Enable WEP on your wireless network and change the WEP key daily or weekly.
2. Protect your drives and folders with passwords.
3. Change the default SSID.
4. Change the WEP key with each session, if possible.
5. Enable MAC address filtering, if possible.
6. Implement a Virtual Private Network (VPN) system to increase security. A VPN client is included in most
operating systems.
Protecting Your Network
● Authentication Types
● Encryption Keys
● WEP Encryption
● 802.1x