On 27 Aug 2006 01:14:47 -0700, benn686@hotmail.com wrote in
<1156666487.329240.221810@m79g2000cwm.googlegroups .com>:

>I recently discovered that a few people are accessing the internet via
>my unsecured wireless network. In my quest I found that the 64/128
>bit Wep encryption is the norm...

It's actually too weak to be terribly effective.

>However, what about just setting up a MAC filter?

Too easily spoofed to be of any real value.

>Im probably like most users in that my network consists of just a few
>wireless devices... why do most people use encryption (
>WAP(2)/Radius/Wep ) instead of just manually listing the permitted MACs
>that can access the wireless network.

Because WPA really works, and MAC filtering doesn't.

>I can see for a big business with many computers this would be too time
>consuming, but for home or small office wouldnt a MAC filter be the
>MOST secure and have the LEAST latency associated with it?? Why isnt
>this option ever mentioned?

Because it's of so little value.

>Thoughts??

Read the wikis below.

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>