Securing your wi-fi® network, Setting up your wireless router – Dynex DX-WEGRTR User Manual

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Setting up your wireless router

Using the Broadcast SSID Feature

Note: This advanced feature should be employed by advanced users only.

For security, you can choose not to broadcast your network's SSID. Doing so will keep your
network name hidden from computers that are scanning for the presence of wireless
networks. To turn off the broadcast of the SSID, remove the check mark from the box next to
Broadcast SSID, then click Apply Changes. The change is immediate. Each computer now
needs to be set to connect to your specific SSID; an SSID of ANY will no longer be accepted.
Refer to the documentation of your wireless network adapter for information on making this
change.
Protected Mode Switch–As part of the 802.11g specification, Protected mode ensures
proper operation of 802.11g clients and access points when there is heavy 802.11b traffic in
the operating environment. When Protected mode is ON, 802.11g scans for other wireless
network traffic before it transmits data. Therefore, using this mode in environments with
HEAVY 802.11b traffic or interference achieves best performance results. If you are in an
environment with very little-or no-other wireless network traffic, your best performance will
be achieved with Protected mode OFF.

Securing your Wi-Fi® Network

Here are a few different ways you can maximize the security of your wireless network and
protect your data from prying eyes and ears. This section is intended for the home, home
office, and small office user.
At the time of this User Manual's publication, there are four encryption methods available.

Name

64-Bit Wired

Equivalent

Privacy

128-Bit Wired

Equivalent

Privacy

Wi-Fi Protected

Access-TKIP

Wi-Fi Protected

Access 2

Acronym

64-bit WEP

128-bit WEP

WPA-TKIP/AES (or just
WPA)

WPA2-AES (or just
WPA2)

Security

Good

Better

Best

Features

Static keys

Dynamic key
encryption and
mutual
authentication

Encryption keys based
on RC4 algorithm
(typically 40-bit keys)

More secure than
64-bit WEP using a
key length of 104 bits
plus 24 additional bits
of system generated
data

TKIP (Temporal Key
Integrity Protocol)
added so that keys are
rotated and
encryption is
strengthened

AES (Advanced
Encryption Standard)
does not cause any
throughput loss