Cisco Linksys WAG310G, User Manual

Page: 73 / 164

Security
3425-00669 Rev E 53
Note: If you are using wireless security, remember that each device in your wireless
network MUST use the same security method and settings, or else the wireless
devices cannot communicate.
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.
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. Cisco wireless products use
wag310g 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.
Change the Default Password
For wireless products such as access points, routers, and gateways, 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 Cisco 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.
Enable MAC Address Filtering
Cisco routers and gateways 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.
Enable Encryption
Encryption protects data transmitted over a wireless network. Wi-Fi Protected
Access (WPA/WPA2) and Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) offer different levels of
security for wireless communication.