What exactly is MAC filtering?

[orion23]

Is it a security thing?

I have it enable with access control on, and I even have WPA enabled.

Does mac filtering serve another purpose?

TIA~

 

[n0cmonkey]

It's a security thing. It should block all MAC addresses except for the exceptions you set.

 

[Brazen]

Depending on the router he has, it could also allow all MACs except those explicitly denied.

 

[aidanjm]

Originally posted by: Brazen
Depending on the router he has, it could also allow all MACs except those explicitly denied.

which probably wouldn't be the effect he desires 😉

can you explain some more? my understanding is that every network interface (Lan card, wireless access card, etc.) has it's own serial number called the MAC, is that correct?

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: Brazen
Depending on the router he has, it could also allow all MACs except those explicitly denied.

I know, but I was assuming the thing wasn't brain dead and broken. 😉

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: aidanjm

Originally posted by: Brazen
Depending on the router he has, it could also allow all MACs except those explicitly denied.

which probably wouldn't be the effect he desires 😉

can you explain some more? my understanding is that every network interface (Lan card, wireless access card, etc.) has it's own serial number called the MAC, is that correct?

Yes, all cards have a MAC address in hardware. If you ipconfig /all or ifconfig -a (depending on OS), it should be labeled as "hardware address" or something along those lines.

Parts of the MAC address identify the manufacturer. The MAC should be unique (should be, but they aren't always). It identifies your system at the hardware level. MAC filtering is supposed to let you deny access to anyone that does not have a particular MAC address.

In theory, it keeps everyone but you out. Unfortunately, MAC Addresses can be changed in software, so it isn't fool proof.

 

[Brazen]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

Originally posted by: aidanjm

Originally posted by: Brazen
Depending on the router he has, it could also allow all MACs except those explicitly denied.

which probably wouldn't be the effect he desires 😉

can you explain some more? my understanding is that every network interface (Lan card, wireless access card, etc.) has it's own serial number called the MAC, is that correct?

Yes, all cards have a MAC address in hardware. If you ipconfig /all or ifconfig -a (depending on OS), it should be labeled as "hardware address" or something along those lines.

Parts of the MAC address identify the manufacturer. The MAC should be unique (should be, but they aren't always). It identifies your system at the hardware level. MAC filtering is supposed to let you deny access to anyone that does not have a particular MAC address.

In theory, it keeps everyone but you out. Unfortunately, MAC Addresses can be changed in software, so it isn't fool proof.

:thumbsup: