Is restricting wireless access to specific MAC addreses as effective as wireless encryption?
I got an earlier version of a gateway as a warrenty replacement and it only has WEP encryption and I can’t update the firmware myself because it’s a gateway. (Only ISPs can update gateway’s firmware) I decided that wireless access would be best protected by restricting wireless access to only specified computer’s MAC addresses. Is this just as effective at keeping out intruders or leechers as WAP for instance?
3 Responses
Pablo
31 Jan 2010
Gamer G
31 Jan 2010
MAC address restriction are safer then WEP keys or wireless encryption.
TaKe.Me.DoWn?_Tr
31 Jan 2010
Yes. To an extent.
I would implement both (MAC and WPA)
The person can still use MAC address spoofing.
Regards,
Dane
Even though WEP encryption is a weak mechanism, using a MAC address filter is much weaker. WPA is much stronger than the previous two methods combined, but it’s a shame it’s not available at the replacement device.
Naturally the least you can do is combine what you have: WEP and MAC filtering. You should also check if the device has other security options. Finally, if security is definitely a must, you could setup a VPN server between your wireless network and the wired on and use a VPN client on the laptop.