Linksys WRTP54G Router Manual PDF (Setup & Configuration Guide)

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78

Appendix B: Wireless Security

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:

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.

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Appendix B: Wireless Security

Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks

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.

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.

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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Appendix B: Wireless Security

Security Threats Facing Wireless Networks

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.

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Appendix C: Finding the MAC Address and IP Address for Your Ethernet Adapter

Windows 98 or Me Instructions

Appendix C: Finding the MAC Address and IP Address for Your

Ethernet Adapter

This section describes how to find the MAC address for your computer’s Ethernet adapter so you can use the

MAC filtering and/or MAC address cloning feature of the Router. You can also find the IP address of your

computer’s Ethernet adapter. This IP address is used for the Router’s filtering, forwarding, and/or DMZ features.

Follow the steps in this appendix to find the adapter’s MAC or IP address in Windows 98, Me, 2000, or XP.

Windows 98 or Me Instructions

1.

Click

Start

and

Run

. In the

Open

field, enter

winipcfg

. Then press the

Enter

key or the

OK

button.

2.

When the

IP Configuration

screen appears, select the Ethernet adapter you have connected to the Router via

a CAT 5 Ethernet network cable.

3.

Write down the Adapter Address as shown on your computer screen. This is the MAC address for your

Ethernet adapter and is shown as a series of numbers and letters.

The MAC address/Adapter Address is what you will use for MAC address cloning or MAC filtering.

The example shows the Ethernet adapter’s IP address as 192.168.1.100. Your computer may show

something different.

Figure C-2: MAC/Adapter Address

Figure C-1: IP Configuration Screen

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Appendix C: Finding the MAC Address and IP Address for Your Ethernet Adapter

Windows 2000 or XP Instructions

1.

Click

Start

and

Run

. In the

Open

field, enter

cmd

. Press the

Enter

key or click the

OK

button.

2.

At the command prompt, enter

ipconfig /all

. Then press the

Enter

key.

3.

Write down the Physical Address as shown on your computer screen; it is the MAC address for your Ethernet

adapter. This appears as a series of numbers and letters.

The MAC address/Physical Address is what you will use for MAC address cloning or MAC filtering.

The example shows the Ethernet adapter’s IP address as 192.168.1.100. Your computer may show

something different.

For the Router’s Web-based Utility

For MAC address cloning, enter the 12-digit MAC address in the fields provided, two digits per field.

For MAC filtering, enter the 12-digit MAC address in this format, XXXXXXXXXXXX, WITHOUT the hyphens.

Figure C-5: MAC Address Filter

Figure C-4: MAC Address Clone

Figure C-3: MAC/Physical Address

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