User's Manual

Reference Manual for the Model WGR614 Cable/DSL Wireless Router
Wireless Configuration 3-5
Although the types of settings described above are the same for either type of wireless network,
the choices you make in each type of network can be different. For example, you can disable the
SSID broadcast in your 802.11a wireless network but enable it in your 802.11b/g network.
Understanding WEP Authentication and Encryption
Restricting wireless access to your network prevents intruders from connecting to your network.
However, the wireless data transmissions are still vulnerable to snooping. Using the WEB data
encryption settings described below will prevent a determined intruder from eavesdropping on
your wireless data communications. Also, if you are using the Internet for such activities as
purchases or banking, those Internet sites use another level of highly secure encryption called SSL.
You can tell if a web site is using SSL because the web address begins with HTTPS rather than
HTTP.
Authentication Scheme Selection
Figure 3-3: Encryption Strength
The WGR614 lets you select the following wireless authentication schemes.
• Automatic.
• Open System.
• Shared key.
Be sure to set your wireless adapter according to the authentication scheme you choose for the
WGR614 router. Please refer to
“Authentication and WEP Data Encryption” on page D-3 for a full
explanation of each of these options, as defined by the IEEE 802.11 wireless communication
standard.
Note: The authentication scheme is separate from the data encryption. You can
choose an authentication scheme which requires a shared key but still leave the
data transmissions unencrypted. If you require strong security, use both the
Shared Key and WEP encryption settings.