Enabling Security Features on a Linksys BEFW11SR 802.11b Access PointRouter

 < Day Day Up > 



Enabling Security Features on a Linksys BEFW11SR 802.11b Access Point/Router

The most popular 802.11b access point currently deployed is the Linksys BEFW11SR Access Point/Router. The BEFW11SR gained popularity because it combined both a wireless access point and a wired router into one device. This section details the minimum steps you should take to configure the BEFW11SR securely. All of the steps outlined in this section should be done from a computer that is connected to your wired network. This is because, as you make changes, the access point will need to reset. When the access point resets, you will likely lose your wireless connection momentarily.

Setting a Unique SSID

The first step you need to take is to assign a unique SSID to your access point. When you log in, you’ll find, by default, that BEFW11SR has no username and the password is admin. This brings up the initial setup screen (see Figure 10.13).

click to expand
Figure 10.13: The Linksys BEFW11SR Initial Setup Screen

Next, enter a unique SSID in the SSID textbox, as shown in Figure 10.14.

click to expand
Figure 10.14: Entering a Unique SSID

Finally, click the Apply button to save your new SSID.

Disabling SSID Broadcast

After you have assigned a unique SSID to your BEFW11SR, you should disable SSID broadcast. Disabling SSID broadcast prevents active wireless scanners like NetStumbler from finding your access point.

From the initial setup screen, select the Disable radio button next to SSID Broadcast. Next, click the Apply button to save your settings and disable SSID broadcast, as shown in Figure 10.15.

click to expand
Figure 10.15: Disable SSID Broadcast on the Linksys BEFW11SR

Enabling WEP

Once you have set a unique SSID and disabled SSID broadcast, the next security measure you should enable is WEP encryption. On the initial setup screen, select the Mandatory radio button next to WEP, as shown in Figure 10.16.

click to expand
Figure 10.16: Select the Mandatory Radio Button

Next, click the WEP Key Setting button to open the WEP Key Setting window. Enter a strong passphrase in the Passphrase textbox and click the Generate button. This generates a WEP key for your network, as shown in Figure 10.17.

click to expand
Figure 10.17: Generate a WEP Key

Next, click the Apply button to save your settings. You also need to configure any wireless clients that use the BEFW11SR with the same WEP key. Instructions for setting up wireless clients are presented in the Configuring Security Features on Wireless Clients section later in this chapter.

Filtering by Media Access Control (MAC) Address

After you have set a unique SSID, disabled SSID broadcast, and enabled WEP, your next step is to filter by Media Access Control (MAC) address. Filtering by MAC address allows only wireless clients with pre-determined MAC addresses to connect to the access point.

From the initial setup screen, click the Advanced tab. This brings up the advanced settings window. Next, click the Wireless tab to open the advanced wireless settings window, as shown in Figure 10.18.

click to expand
Figure 10.18: The Advanced Wireless Settings Window

Select the Enable radio button next to Station MAC Filter, as shown in Figure 10.19.

click to expand
Figure 10.19: Enable Station MAC Filter

Then, click the Edit MAC Filter Setting button to open the Wireless Group MAC Table window, shown in Figure 10.20.

click to expand
Figure 10.20: The Wireless Group MAC Table Window

Next, enter the MAC addresses of the clients that are allowed to access your wireless network in the MAC Address textboxes and select the Filter checkbox next to each of them, as shown in Figure 10.21.

click to expand
Figure 10.21: Enter Allowed MAC Addresses

Finally, click the Apply button on the Wireless Group MAC Table window, the Advanced Wireless Settings window, and the initial setup screen to save your settings.



 < Day Day Up > 



WarDriving(c) Drive, Detect, Defend(c) A Guide to Wireless Security
Special Edition Using Macromedia Studio 8
ISBN: N/A
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2006
Pages: 125

flylib.com © 2008-2017.
If you may any questions please contact us: flylib@qtcs.net