Wireless Network Security Fundamentals

Q: What is Infrastructure Mode?
A: Infrastructure Mode is where wireless clients (computers) talk to each other via an Access Point (like a wireless router). This is as opposed to AdHoc Mode where clients (computers) talk to each other directly (there is no device between them like a wireless router).

Q: What is Ad Hoc Mode?

A: An ad-hoc network is where all the wireless clients talk directly to each other. This is as opposed to Infrastructure Mode where clients talk to each other through an Access Point

Is your wireless network secure? The current generation of wireless products provide several network security features, however, they require specific action on your part for implementation. All of the steps below should be followed to ensure wireless network security. If your hardware does not support any one of the following settings you should strongly consider an upgrade to one that does.

1. Change the default SSID
2. Disable the SSID Broadcasting feature
3. Change the default password for Administrator access
4. Enable MAC Address Filtering
5. Change the SSID periodically
6. Enable WEP 128-bit Encryption
7. Change the WEP encryption keys periodically

For information on implementing these security features refer to the User Guide for your specific hardware or you may contact us and we can do it for you!

SSID

Most wireless networking devices will give you the option of broadcasting the SSID. While this option could be convenient for allowing friends or customers to easily access your network, it will also allow anyone to privately see and then log onto your wireless network (including hackers).

So, do not broadcast the SSID. Wireless networking products come with a default SSID set by the factory. Hackers know this and can check it against your network even if you disable SSID broadcast. So change your SSID to something unique and not something related to your company or the networking products you use and turn off SSID broadcasting. This will make it much harder to hack into your network.

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.

Change the Default Password to Your Wireless Device (Router or WAP)

If a hacker gets into your connection it is very easy to get into your wireless device and modify the settings and making it easier to compromise your network. Change the factory default password and user name.

MAC Address Filtering

Enable MAC Address filtering in your wireless access point (WAP) or wireless Router setup. MAC Address filtering will allow you to provide access to only those wireless nodes with certain MAC Addresses that you designate. This makes it much harder for a hacker to access your network with a random MAC Address.

• Obtain the MAC address of your wireless nodes (i.e. a laptop or wireless printer)
• Put that MAC address into the WAP (or wireless Router) MAC Address Filtering menu
• Keeps out run-of-the-mill wardrivers

Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)

WEP is often looked upon as a panacea 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. However, there are several ways that WEP can be maximized:

• Use the highest level of encryption possible for your wireless device
• Use a "Shared" Key (don't click the check box "This key is provided for me automatically")
• Use multiple WEP keys
• Change your WEP key several times throughout the year

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 wireless products have to offer.

An antenna, a wireless access card, and a laptop computer will give a hacker access to almost any wireless network. Shouldn't you be prepared to defend yourself?

Call us today!

Page Computer Solutions, LLC
Alpharetta, GA
Phone: 678.793.9669
Fax: 770.234.6850
www.page-computers.com
sales@page-computers.com
Privacy Policy

© 2004 Page Computer Solutions, LLC
All Rights Reserved

What we do:

Page Computers provides technicians for home and small business computer support. Contact us today to schedule your PC service or PC repair. Let our friendly neighborhood computer geeks on call can solve all of your computer repair and PC support needs. We rebuild and install computers, PCs, we can transfer data, install wireless networks connect multiple computers, and setup printers & scanners. We install all sorts of computer PC peripherals, support and install laptop software, perform OS and applications upgrades, and can transfer data from old PCs to new computers. We can perform a PC Tune-up that provides increased performance, and set up computer backups, along with security, and virus protection. Page Computers provides computer support in North Atlanta, Alpharetta, Duluth, Suwanee, Johns Creek, Cumming, North Fulton County, and Forsyth County Georgia, and all over the greater Atlanta metro area. Ask our geeks to go and solve all of your computer repair and PC support needs. Contact Page Computers today at 678-793-9669 to schedule your PC computer service or PC repair. All of our products and services come with an unconditional satisfaction guarantee!

Our Links page
Network Security