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Appendix B: Wireless Security
Security Precautions
Wireless-B 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 5: Configuring the Wireless-B
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.
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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46
Appendix B: Wireless Security
Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks
Wireless-B 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 a “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
often available: Pre-Shared Key and RADIUS. Pre-Shared Key gives you a choice of encryption methods, which
are often TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol), which utilizes a stronger encryption method and incorporates
Message Integrity Code (MIC) to provide protection against hackers, and AES (Advanced Encryption System),
which utilizes a symmetric 128-Bit block data encryption. RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service)
utilizes a RADIUS server for authentication and the use of dynamic TKIP, AES, or WEP.
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.
Note:
This Router only provides TKIP encryption
for Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA).
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47
Appendix B: Wireless Security
Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks
Wireless-B Broadband Router
WPA Pre-Shared Key
. If you do not have a RADIUS server, select the type of algorithm, 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 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.) First, select the type of WPA algorithm. Enter the RADIUS server’s IP
Address and port number, along with a key shared between the Router and the server. Last, enter a Group Key
Renewal period, which instructs the Router how often it should change the encryption keys.
RADIUS
. WEP used in coordination with a RADIUS server. (This should only be used when a RADIUS server is
connected to the Router.) First, enter the RADIUS server’s IP Address and port number, along with a key
shared between the Router and the server. Then, select a WEP key and a level of WEP encryption, and either
generate a WEP key through the Passphrase or enter the WEP key manually.
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.
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Appendix C: Upgrading Firmware
Wireless-B Broadband Router
Appendix C: Upgrading Firmware
The Access Point's firmware is upgraded through the Web-Utility's Help tab. Follow these instructions:
1.
Open Linksys's website at
www.linksys.com/international
.
2.
Select your region, if necessary, and country.
3.
Select the Router from the
Products
tab.
4.
Download the firmware from this screen.
5.
Go to the Firmware Upgrade
screen
from the Web-Utility's Administration tab, and the Upgrade Firmware
screen will appear.
6.
Enter the location of the firmware's file or click the
Browse
button to find the file.
7.
Then, click the
Upgrade
button to upgrade the firmware.
Figure C-1: Upgrade Firmware
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Appendix D: Windows Help
Wireless-B Broadband Router
Appendix D: Windows Help
Wireless products require Microsoft Windows. Windows is the most used operating system in the world and
comes with many features that help make networking easier. These features can be accessed through Windows
Help and are described in this appendix.
TCP/IP
Before a computer can communicate with the Router, TCP/IP must be enabled. TCP/IP is a set of instructions, or
protocol, all PCs follow to communicate over a network. This is true for wireless networks as well. Your PCs will
not be able to utilize wireless networking without having TCP/IP enabled. Windows Help provides complete
instructions on enabling TCP/IP.
Shared Resources
If you wish to share printers, folder, or files over your network, Windows Help provides complete instructions on
utilizing shared resources.
Network Neighborhood/My Network Places
Other PCs on your network will appear under Network Neighborhood or My Network Places (depending upon the
version of Windows you're running). Windows Help provides complete instructions on adding PCs to your
network.
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