Linksys WPC54GS [39/54] Security precautions

Appendix B: Wireless Security

Security Precautions

Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SpeedBooster

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.

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.

SSID. There are several things to keep in mind about the SSID:

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.