Chapter 2: Get started
■
Install a virus checker and keep it updated.
■
Avoid providing web or file-sharing services over your Telephony Gateway. Besides
certain vulnerability problems, most service providers prohibit running servers on
consumer-level accounts and may suspend your account for violating your terms of
service.
■
Use the service provider’s mail servers for sending email.
■
Avoid using proxy software unless you are certain that it is not open for abuse by other
Internet users (some are shipped open by default). Criminals can take advantage of open
proxies to hide their identity when breaking into other computers or sending spam. If
you have an open proxy, your service provider may suspend your account to protect the
rest of the network.
■
The TG9452 ships with wireless LAN security set by default (for the same reasons that
you should run only secured proxies). See the security label on your product for the
factory security settings. If you need to modify the default wireless security settings, see
Configure your wireless connection
.
■
Set up a strong password for both your Wi-Fi access and your web administration login.
Change the password regularly, every three months or so.
Ethernet or wireless?
There are two ways to connect your computer (or other equipment) to the Telephony
Gateway.
Ethernet
Ethernet is a standard method of connecting two or more computers into a Local Area
Network (LAN). You can use the Ethernet connection if your computer has built-in Ethernet
hardware.
Ethernet connections are slightly more secure than wireless connections, making it harder
for unauthorized users to “eavesdrop” on communications between the router and the
connected device. However, Ethernet connections are not as convenient or easy to install as
wireless connections.
Note:
To connect more than four computers to the TG9452 through the Ethernet
ports, you need an Ethernet hub (available at computer retailers).
The Telephony Gateway package comes with one Ethernet cable (the connectors look like
wide telephone connectors); you can purchase more cables if necessary at a computer
retailer. If you are connecting the Telephony Gateway directly to a computer, or to an
Ethernet hub with a cross-over switch, ask for Category 6 (CAT6) straight-through cable.
CAT6 cable is required for best Ethernet performance. Regular CAT5 or CAT5e cable may not
allow full-speed Ethernet operation.
Touchstone TG9452 Telephony Gateway User Guide DRAFT Revision 1.2
13
