Is MAC address filtering a good way to protect a wireless network?
Congratulations! You have identified all the critical elements of wireless security and some of the pitfalls. Let’s address all elements so you are really secure. Also, be sure to document in writing all you have done as you will need it in the future. 1. SSID should be changed from factory default to some identifier that cannot easily be traced to you (e.g. BobSmithNetwork is not good if you are Bob Smith; 1324NElm is not good if your address is 123 N Elm; I often use a name that is extremely neutral like 18Rtr91 where Rtr stands for router and unknown to others 1891 is 1981 backwards and this may be the birth year of someone in the household and most would not figure this out, especially when the numbers split by letters. Once all pcs are configured on the wireless the SSID can be shut down as you plan also. 2. Encryption – WEP is very weak and easily compromised. Use WPA or WPA2. Make sure all pcs support WPA2 before selecting it. If some pcs do not support WPA2, see if you can get
