Netgear DG834G v3 - enabling WPA2...

I've just bought a Netgear DG834G v3 Router and I'm trying to set up the Wireless security from the web-based interface and I can only see 3 options; WEP, WPA-PSK and WPA-802.1x.

I'm trying to setup WPA2-PSK as I'm sure this Router supports it and it's more secure than the regular WPA-PSK. The Netgear website says that it does support WPA2-PSK but I can't see how I can enable it from the Netgear web-based interface.

The Firmware version is 4.01.06 - this is the Firmware that the Router was shipped with.

Any ideas?

My DG834G has the following options:

Disable
WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy)
WPA-PSK (Wi-Fi Protected Access Pre-Shared Key)
WPA2-PSK(Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 with Pre-Shared Key)
WPA-PSK+WPA2-PSK
WPA-802.1x
WPA2-802.1x
WPA-802.1x+WPA2-802.1x

If you don't have the option that suggests it isn't available within that firmware.

I think the added "protection" of WPA2 over WPA is more theoretical than practical. If you use a decent passphrase (e.g. 63 random characters) WPA will be just as secure.

Hi, I second john2007, you will probably have to upgrade the firmware to get the later WPA2.

I did read somewhere WPA�PSK TKIP is considered more secure.

Use WPA-PSK TKIP with 63-character password that you cannot remember.

Just copy and paste from https://www.grc.com/passwords.htm

Example. KQp9TcgwMFkl5wUJXSeVVLqzpAoN1iblxyw7WL2veTbn1ToYFBZ238nX8a7nkNm � 63 characters.

Keep a copy in a word document on a floppy or CD.

Edited by deleted (Sat 19-Jul-08 16:12:19)

In reply to:

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My DG834G has the following options:

Disable
WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy)
WPA-PSK (Wi-Fi Protected Access Pre-Shared Key)
WPA2-PSK(Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 with Pre-Shared Key)
WPA-PSK+WPA2-PSK
WPA-802.1x
WPA2-802.1x
WPA-802.1x+WPA2-802.1x

If you don't have the option that suggests it isn't available within that firmware.

I think the added "protection" of WPA2 over WPA is more theoretical than practical. If you use a decent passphrase (e.g. 63 random characters) WPA will be just as secure.

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I've seen the password suggestion that E7er posted and will give that a go. I still want to use WPA2 though. Maybe not on it's own but combined with WPA and that should be enough security for me.

Any suggestions on which Firmware version to download and install to get the WPA2 option?

In reply to:

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Hi, I second john2007, you will probably have to upgrade the firmware to get the later WPA2.

I did read somewhere WPA�PSK TKIP is considered more secure.

Use WPA-PSK TKIP with 63-character password that you cannot remember.

Just copy and paste from https://www.grc.com/passwords.htm

Example. KQp9TcgwMFkl5wUJXSeVVLqzpAoN1iblxyw7WL2veTbn1ToYFBZ238nX8a7nkNm � 63 characters.

Keep a copy in a word document on a floppy or CD.

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That's a very useful site and a great suggestion for the Wireless Password.

So it looks like I definitely need to upgrade Firmware? If so, which Firmware version will allow the use of WPA2?

You could try (at your OWN risk) 4.01.30 or 4.01.28 here:

http://kbserver.netgear.com/products/DG834Gv3.asp

I still think it's a waste of effort though.

Version 4.01.37 definitely gives you the wpa2-psk option.

Didn't even notice that version as an option (assumed it was for NA).

I'm running 4.01.37 and it's available in that version, and has been for some revisions now.

The only thing about 4.01.37 (well two things):

1) The wireless internet light is broken with this firmware. Sounds weird I know, but many people have reported that the wireless light no longer flickers to show data transfer since upgrading to this version. I can confirm this also.

2) I've never been able to get either WPA or WPA 2 working (not just limited to this firmware though).

In reply to:

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You could try (at your OWN risk) 4.01.30 or 4.01.28 here:

http://kbserver.netgear.com/products/DG834Gv3.asp

I still think it's a waste of effort though.

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Tried 4.01.28 and it worked. The WPA2 option is now available.

Thanks for the help. I think I'll give that 63 character password thing a go as well.