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Reference Manual for the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless Access Point WG602v3
Basic Installation and Configuration 3-3
202-10060-02, February 2005
Understanding WG602v3 Wireless Security Options
Unlike wired network data, your wireless data transmissions can be received well beyond your
walls by anyone with a compatible adapter. For this reason, use the security features of your
wireless equipment. The WG602v3 Access Point provides highly effective security features which
are covered in detail in this chapter. Deploy the security features appropriate to your needs.
Figure 3-1: WG602v3 wireless data security options
There are several ways you can enhance the security of your wireless network:
• Restrict Access Based on MAC Address. You can restrict access to only trusted PCs so that
unknown PCs cannot wirelessly connect to the WG602v3. MAC address filtering adds an
obstacle against unwanted access to your network, but the data broadcast over the wireless link
is fully exposed.
• Turn Off the Broadcast of the Wireless Network Name (SSID). If you disable broadcast of
the SSID, only devices that have the correct SSID can connect. This nullifies the wireless
network ‘discovery’ feature of some products such as Windows XP, but the data is still fully
exposed to a determined snoop using specialized test equipment like wireless sniffers.
• Use WEP. Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) data encryption provides data security. WEP
Shared Key authentication and WEP data encryption will block an eavesdropper but because
the keys are static, a determined snoop can learn the keys in less than a day of eavesdropping.
• Use WPA-PSK. Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) data encryption provides data security.
WPA-PSK will block eavesdropping. Because this is a new standard, wireless device driver
and software availability may be limited. However, WPA is not available in bridge mode.
1) Open System: Easy but no security
2) MAC Access List: No data security
3) WEP: Secure but some vulnerabilities
4) WPA: Very strong security
Wireless Data
Security Options
Range: Up to 300 Foot Radius
WG602v3