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Chapter 2: Wireless Network Configuration
Mobile Broadband 11n Wireless Router MBR1000 User Manual
Wireless Security Options
Indoors, computers can connect over 802.11n wireless networks at a maximum range of up
to 300 feet. Such distances can allow for others outside your immediate area to access your
network.
Unlike wired network data, your wireless data transmissions can extend beyond your walls
and can be received by anyone with a compatible adapter. For this reason, use the security
features of your wireless equipment. The Mobile Broadband 11n Wireless Router provides
highly effective security features, which are covered in detail in this chapter. Deploy the
security features appropriate to your needs.
There are several ways you can enhance the security of your wireless network:
Figure 4. Wireless Security
•
Restrict access based on MAC address
. You can allow only trusted PCs to connect so
that unknown PCs cannot wirelessly connect to the router. Restricting access by MAC
address adds an obstacle against unwanted access to your network, but the data
broadcast over the wireless link is fully exposed.
•
Turn off the broadcast of the wireless network name (SSID)
. If you disable broadcast
of the SSID, only devices that have the correct SSID can connect. This nullifies wireless
network “discovery” feature of some products, such as Windows XP, but the data is still
exposed.
•
WEP.
Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) data encryption provides data security. WEP
Shared Key authentication and WEP data encryption block all but the most determined
eavesdropper. This data encryption mode has been superseded by WPA-PSK and
WPA2-PSK.
•
WPA-PSK (TKIP), WPA2-PSK (AES)
. Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) using a pre-shared
key to perform authentication and generate the initial data encryption keys. The very
strong authentication along with dynamic per frame re-keying of WPA makes it virtually
impossible to compromise.
For more information about wireless technology, click the link to the online document
Wireless Networking Basics
in Appendix B.
