HP Pavilion dm4-3000 User Guide HP Notebook - Windows 7 - Page 32
Configuring a wireless router, Protecting your WLAN
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Configuring a wireless router For help in setting up a WLAN, refer to the information provided by your router manufacturer or your ISP. The Windows operating system also provides tools to help you set up a new wireless network. To use the Windows tools to set up your network, select Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Set up a new connection or network > Set up a new network. Then follow the on-screen instructions. NOTE: It is recommended that you initially connect your new wireless computer to the router by using the network cable provided with the router. When the computer successfully connects to the Internet, you can disconnect the cable, and then access the Internet through your wireless network. Protecting your WLAN When you set up a WLAN or access an existing WLAN, always enable security features to protect your network from unauthorized access. WLANs in public areas (hotspots) like coffee shops and airports may not provide any security. If you are concerned about the security of your computer in a hotspot, limit your network activities to e-mail that is not confidential and basic Internet surfing. Wireless radio signals travel outside the network, so other WLAN devices can pick up unprotected signals. You can take the following precautions to protect your WLAN: ● Firewall-A firewall checks both data and requests for data that are sent to your network, and discards any suspicious items. Firewalls are available in both software and hardware. Some networks use a combination of both types. ● Wireless encryption-Your computer supports three encryption protocols: ◦ Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) ◦ Wi-Fi Protected Access II (WPA2) ◦ Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) NOTE: HP recommends that you select WPA2, which is the most advanced of the three encryption protocols. The use of WEP encryption is not recommended, because it can be overcome with little effort. ● Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) and Wi-Fi Protected Access II (WPA2) use security standards to encrypt and decrypt data transmitted over the network. Both WPA and WPA2 dynamically generate a new key for every packet, and they also generate a different set of keys for each computer network. To accomplish this: ◦ WPA uses Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) ◦ WPA2 uses Cipher Block Chaining Message Authentication Code Protocol (CCMP), which is a new AES protocol. ● Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) encrypts data with a WEP key before it is transmitted. Without the correct key, others will not be able to use the WLAN. 22 Chapter 4 Networking