Netgear XAV5004 XAV5004 User Manual - Page 10

XAV5004 Powerline AV 500 Adapter User Manual CAUTION: NETGEAR recommends that you secure your Powerline network from unauthorized access. This is especially relevant in settings such as apartment buildings. See Understanding Powerline Network Security on page 10. Understanding Powerline Network Security A Powerline network consists of two or more Powerline adapters using the same network encryption key. Securing your network is crucial. By encrypting the information you send over the Powerline XAV5004 Adapter, you help to keep it secure from hackers. If you do not set up security on your network, anyone nearby with a Powerline network can potentially use their connection to gain access to your network and information you send over the Internet. This is especially relevant in settings such as apartment buildings, office buildings, dorm rooms, and other more populated areas. Powerline devices connected to the same network must use an identical encryption key. The security used by Powerline XAV5004 Adapters is similar to the SSID and encryption keys used in wireless networks, but you do not need software to configure Powerline XAV5004 Adapters. There are two ways to secure your Powerline network. • Use the Security button located on the Powerline adapter to automatically generate a random encryption key. See Set the Encryption Key . • Use the XAV5004 Powerline Utility to configure your Powerline network with an encryption key that you specify. If you are already using Powerline or HomePlug devices then you will need to use the Powerline Utility. If not already installed, the Powerline Utility should be installed on your computer. See Installing the XAV5004 Powerline Utility on page 12. For information about using the XAV5004 Powerline Utility to configure Powerline security or to prioritize Powerline network traffic using the Quality of Service (QoS) feature, see Chapter 2. Note: To return the XAV5004 Powerline AV 500 Adapter to its factory default settings, see Reset a Device to Factory Settings on page 17. 10 | Chapter 1. Installation and Basic Configuration