Mike's Tech Blog

5. Use MAC Filtering.
Unlike an IP address, (which is usually passed out by your wireless router) a computer's MAC address is embedded into its hardware. Although this too can be spoofed, it will help keep the casual hacker at bay.

When using MAC filtering, you will need to get the MAC Address of each computer on your network. On a Windows computer, click on the Start button, then on Run then type in cmd. this will open up a Dos window. At the prompt type the following: ipconfig /all and a screen similar to below will appear:

Your information will probably look different than mine. The information you need to write down is called the Physical Address. Your wireless router will have a place to enable MAC filtering, then there is usually a button to enter specific MAC addresses that you want to allow on your wireless network.

Here is a screenshot for enabling MAC filtering on a Linksys router:

After you have enabled MAC filtering, and added all of your computer's MAC addresses, don't forget to save your changes.

6. Disable Remote Administation.
If your wireless router has this feature, make sure it is turned off. Usually that is the router's default condition, but its a good idea to check. This option is used so that your wireless router can be administered via the internet.

7. Use Netstumbler to test your wireless network.
Netstumbler is a WiFi utility that can be used to sniff out wireless networks and help determine your network's vulnerabilites. The best way to see if your wireless network is secure is to try to break into it yourself. Also, netstumbler will help you find sources of wifi interference, and weak signal areas in your house.

With these measures in place on your wireless network, you will have taken steps to make it more secure. Although no wireless network is completely secure, this will prevent a very large percentage, if not all of the casual wardrivers, or next door neighbor getting on to your wireless network.

-- Mike