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Wireless-G Broadband Router
Appendix B: Wireless Security
Linksys wants to make wireless networking as safe and easy for you as possible. The current generation of
Linksys products provide several network security features, but they require specific action on your part for implementation. So, keep the following in mind whenever you are setting up or using your wireless network.
Security Precautions
The following is a complete list of security precautions to take (at least steps 1 through 5 should be followed):
1. Change the default SSID.
2. Disable SSID Broadcast.
3. Change the default password for the Administrator account.
4. Enable MAC Address Filtering.
5. Change the SSID periodically.
6. Use the highest encryption algorithm possible. Use WPA if it is available. Please note that this may reduce your network performance.
7. Change the WEP encryption keys periodically.
For information on implementing these security features, refer to “Chapter 6: Configuring the Wireless-G
Broadband Router.”
Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks
Wireless networks are easy to find. Hackers know that in order to join a wireless network, wireless networking products first listen for “beacon messages”. These messages can be easily decrypted and contain much of the network’s information, such as the network’s SSID (Service Set Identifier). Here are the steps you can take:
Change the administrator’s password regularly. With every wireless networking device you use, keep in mind that network settings (SSID, WEP keys, etc.) are stored in its firmware. Your network administrator is the only person who can change network settings. If a hacker gets a hold of the administrator’s password, he, too, can change those settings. So, make it harder for a hacker to get that information. Change the administrator’s password regularly.
Appendix B: Wireless Security
Security Precautions
Note: Some of these security features are available only through the network router or access point. Refer to the router or access point’s documentation for more information.
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Wireless-G Broadband Router
SSID. There are several things to keep in mind about the SSID:
1. Disable Broadcast
2. Make it unique
3. Change it often
Most wireless networking devices will give you the option of broadcasting the SSID. While this option may be more convenient, it allows anyone to log into your wireless network. This includes hackers. So, don’t broadcast the SSID.
Wireless networking products come with a default SSID set by the factory. (The Linksys default SSID is “linksys”.)
Hackers know these defaults and can check these against your network. Change your SSID to something unique and not something related to your company or the networking products you use.
Change your SSID regularly so that any hackers who have gained access to your wireless network will have to start from the beginning in trying to break in.
MAC Addresses. Enable MAC Address filtering. MAC Address filtering will allow you to provide access to only those wireless nodes with certain MAC Addresses. This makes it harder for a hacker to access your network with a random MAC Address.
WEP Encryption. Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) is often looked upon as a cure-all for wireless security concerns. This is overstating WEP’s ability. Again, this can only provide enough security to make a hacker’s job more difficult.
There are several ways that WEP can be maximized:
1. Use the highest level of encryption possible
2. Use “Shared Key” authentication
3. Change your WEP key regularly
WPA. Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) is the newest and best available standard in Wi-Fi security. Two modes are available: Pre-Shared Key and RADIUS. Pre-Shared Key gives you one encryption methods: TKIP (Temporal Key
Integrity Protocol), which utilizes a stronger encryption method and incorporates Message Integrity Code (MIC) to provide protection against hackers.
Appendix B: Wireless Security
Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks
Important: Always remember that each device in your wireless network MUST use the same encryption method and encryption key or your wireless network will not function properly.
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Wireless-G Broadband Router
WPA Pre-Shared Key. If you do not have a RADIUS server, Select the type of algorithm, TKIP or AES, enter a password in the Pre-Shared key field of 8-64 characters, and enter a Group Key Renewal period time between 0 and 99,999 seconds, which instructs the Router or other device how often it should change the encryption keys.
WPA RADIUS. WPA used in coordination with a RADIUS server. (This should only be used when a RADIUS server is connected to the Router or other device.) First, select the type of WPA algorithm, TKIP or AES. Enter the RADIUS server’s IP Address and port number, along with a key shared between the device and the server.
Last, enter a Group Key Renewal period, which instructs the device how often it should change the encryption keys.
Implementing encryption may have a negative impact on your network’s performance, but if you are transmitting sensitive data over your network, encryption should be used.
These security recommendations should help keep your mind at ease while you are enjoying the most flexible and convenient technology Linksys has to offer.
Appendix B: Wireless Security
Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks
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