Chapter 11. Securing the Wireless Network | Home Wireless Networking in a Snap

IN THIS CHAPTER:

About Basic Network Security
About Firewalls
Configure Router Firewall Settings
Change Router Password
Back Up Router Configuration
Turn Off Server Set IDs (SSIDs) Broadcasts
About 802.11 Security Strategies
Configure Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) Security
Configure WiFi Protected Access (WPA) Security
About Network Interface MAC Addresses
Create a WiFi Network MAC Access List
Configure Remote Management

WiFi networks face two potential avenues of security breaches: the WiFi medium itself (radio signals) and the persistent Internet connection that results from the home network being connected to a DSL router or broadband modem. Protecting your wireless network requires that you secure the network medium and protect the internal private network from attack by someone outside the network, meaning someone who attacks the network over the Internet.

In this chapter, we take a look at how to secure a WiFi network using wireless security strategies that use encryption and security keys. We will also look at how your WiFi router also provides a firewall that helps to secure the network from outside attack.