benphp Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 I have an old wireless G router that has WEP security, and it occurred to me that if I don't use ANY security but allow only certain MAC addresses that the network would be secure - no? Anyone have thoughts on this? If I allow only one laptop's MAC address access to the wireless network, won't that effectively lock down the wireless network - even if I don't use WEP at all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PFMaBiSmAd Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 Using the MAC address will only control who can connect to your network. By not using encryption, anyone close enough with a wireless adapter can monitor what is being sent back and forth between your computer and the router, for example your username, password, cookies when you log into or visit this forum or your email web interface, if we assume you get your email through a web interface that does not use the https protocol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcombs_31 Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 I have an old wireless G router that has WEP security, and it occurred to me that if I don't use ANY security but allow only certain MAC addresses that the network would be secure - no? Anyone have thoughts on this? If I allow only one laptop's MAC address access to the wireless network, won't that effectively lock down the wireless network - even if I don't use WEP at all? Mac filtering is no means of protection from someone who really wants to get on your network. Mac addresses can be easily spoofed. Your best option is WPA2 encryption, or at least WPA. If you only have a couple computers on your network you can add the mac filtering as another layer, but it is not reliable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benphp Posted May 8, 2008 Author Share Posted May 8, 2008 and since WEP has been hacked, this wireless router is wide open - I guess I need a new router then - not that anyone is out there trying to hack my home network... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcombs_31 Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 WEP is better than nothing, you sure that is the only option in your router? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benphp Posted May 8, 2008 Author Share Posted May 8, 2008 Yep, WEP. It's old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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