On the control panel, find the system or status details to check the firmware version installed. Then go to the support section of the manufacturer’s website and check the downloads for your particular model. If a newer firmware release is available, download it and upload via the firmware page on the control panel. If you have any computers with Windows XP, ensure you have Service Pack 3 installed, which adds WPA2 support. Click Start, right- click My Computer, and select Properties. If installed, you should see “Windows XP Service Pack 3”.
If you don’t see it, download and install it using Windows Updates. If you’re using an old wireless adapter, it could lack WPA2 support even if Windows supports it.
To double- check its support in Windows XP, open the Wireless Network Connection Properties dialog, select the Wireless Networks tab, and click Add. Then ensure WPA2 is listed in the drop- down menu for Network Authentication. See Figure 2. If you don’t see WPA2, support may have been added in driver updates by the manufacturer. Check the driver version that’s installed: open the Wireless Network. Connection Properties dialog in Windows, click the Configure button, and select the Driver tab. Then go to the support section of the manufacturer’s website and check the downloads for your particular model.
If a newer driver version is available, download it and update it by following the manufacturer’s instructions or via the Driver tab. WEBINAR: On- Demand. Learn How a Virtual Networking Approach Can Strengthen the Security of Federal Networks REGISTER > Using WPA2- Personal (PSK)To enable WPA2- Personal security, start by entering the IP address of your wireless router and/or access points into a web browser, login to the control panel, and find the wireless security settings. If you don’t know the IP address of your router or don’t remember the password, refer to the notes in the previous section.
Once you find the wireless security settings, select WPA2 security and AES encryption. Then enter a Pre- Shared Key or Passphrase of 8 to 6. The longer and more complex the more secure. Try to upper and lower case letters and numbers. Write this down and keep it safe. Don’t forget to save/apply the changes. Now you must enter the same passphrase on your Wi- Fi equipped computers and devices.
In Windows, you should be prompted to enter it when connecting. However, if you were previously using WEP or WPA, Windows may not connect until you edit the saved security settings: In Windows XP, double- click the wireless network icon in the lower right corner of Windows, click Change the order of preferred networks. Then double- click the network name and change the Network Authentication to WPA2- PSK, Data Encryption to AES, and enter the passphrase twice in the Network Key felids. See Figure 4 for an example.
In Windows Vista and 7, bring up the list of available wireless networks, right- click the network, and select Properties. Then change Security Type to WPA2- Personal, Encryption Type to AES, and enter the passphrase as the Network Security Key. See Figure 5 for an example. Using WPA2- Enterprise. Before you can use WPA2- Enterprise, you must choose and setup a RADIUS server. If you have a Windows Server, you should be able to use the IAS or NPS server. Other RADIUS servers include Free.
RADIUS, Elektron, and Clear. Box. Keep in mind; some business- class access points (such as the. Zy. XEL Zy. AIR G- 2. Plus v. 2) include integrated RADIUS servers.
If you don’t have the money or expertise to run your own server, you can use a hosted service, such as Authenticate. My. Wi. Fi. For more help on deploying WPA2- Enterprise and 8. X, refer a previous article of mine that discusses overcoming the common roadblocks. I’ve also written a series targeted toward deployment in small businesses. Eric Geier is a freelance tech writer and author of many networking and computing books, for brands like For Dummies and Cisco Press. He also founded No. Wires. Security, which helps businesses quickly and easily protect their Wi- Fi with enterprise- level security.
Additionally, he’s a Field Technician for Fast- Teks, an on- site computer services company that has hundreds of locations across the U. S. Keep up with security news; Follow e. Security. Planet on Twitter: @e.