Wireless security WPA vs. MAC Filter

How about if i setup in my WRT54G that the only MAC can pass thru is my laptop MAC. Do i still need to enable the WP? security feature? or they can still sniff content over the air if i dont WP?-secure the wireless data transmission?

thanks

 

You should really enable WPA. That has some pluses also including mac filtering and harder passworks. WPA Recommended.

 

But my question still remains... if i enable mac filtering you (an outsider) can't connect to my router and use my internet...since this is at home i am not THAT concern about ppl sniffing my data transsmision...so i am not sure why should i enable WPA...

 

Even if you do enable mac filtering people can scan or find out your Mac address, clone it onto their computer and connect to your network.
Many people use the "i don't do anything private on my network so I don't need encryption", but the thing is, if someone connects to your network and does something illegal on the Internet, YOU are responsible. So think about that, and definately activate WPA.

 

certainly a more convincing approach. does enabling encryption slowdown your transfer rate?

 

Theoretically, I believe it does. However, I am using a WRT54G in my 2-floor apartment, and I did not notice any differences with WPA activated or deactivated while browsing the Internet etc. It might have an impact depending on what you do of course.

 

Waeggles is absolutely correct. It's very easy spoof a mac address. There's software out there for doing this and any script kiddy can do it. Definitely go for WPA.

 

Enabling encryption does slow your transfer rate, but not by any noticable amount. I did some testing once, and the loss of speed was less than the normal variation in the measurements. So, go for it and don't worry about it.

 

Yeah, its very very little, almost no difference. WPA is your best choice.