Mac® Security Bible

16.4. Wireless Security Settings on Your Mac

Thus far, this chapter has discussed the types of security a Wi-Fi network may offer and how to configure the access points that provide wireless Internet access. However, you must also take some steps on your Mac to use wireless encryption. Often, it's just a matter of typing a password, but you may also have to choose an encryption method and make a few other decisions.

NOTE

For more on configuring your Mac to connect to an authentication server using 802.1X (whether using Ethernet or Wi-Fi), see Chapter 15.

To connect to a wireless network, follow these steps:

1. Look for the wedge-shaped AirPort menu in your menu bar. If it isn't there, follow these steps:

   1. Choose System Preferences and then click Network.

   2. If the lock icon in the lower-left corner of the window is in the locked state, click it, type an administrator's username and password, and then click OK.

   3. Select your AirPort interface from the list on the left and then click the Show AirPort status in menu bar check box.

2. If the name (SSID) of the network to which you want to connect appears in the AirPort menu, follow these steps:

   1. Choose the network name from the menu. If the network has no encryption (as shown by the absence of a lock icon next to the network name), you connect immediately; ...