MAC is machine address code, a unique identification for
each bit of hardware. You can set your router which is part
of the WiFi security to only allow log-on to particular
machines with the correct MAC. You can also turn SSID
broadcasting off so your WiFi router will stay hidden from
casual snoops.
A firewall can also do these things in software on the
computer itself if you want more security.
In public "hotspots" the SSID is broadcast and the WiFi will
accept any log-on. In semi-private/public spots, like the
hotel, you may need a password or even a special WiFi card
with a MAC that has access.
But you need a software firewall in the computer because
without it, when logged in to a public WiFi your computer is
open to the world of hackers and spammers.
You can't control the public hotspots, but you can protect
your machine. At home, you can have more protection because
you control the router/gateway.
| The network is wifi whether I'm home or traveling - never
wired unless
| that's what the hotel happens to have instead of wifi. If
I understand your
| suggestion correctly (which I may not) then it only works
if one network is
| wired and the other wireless?
|
| Bill
| ------------------------------
in message
| | > What about MAC filtering to control which machines can
| > access WiFi or wired, can reject at the router and again
in
| > a software firewall.
| >
| >
| > | > | Claymore wrote:
| > | > Hello Bill,
| > | >
| > | > But no one can share (access) files on your computer
| > unless they have
| > | > the same workgroup name. If you name your workgroup
| > something very
| > | > unique, the chances of another computer having the
same
| > workgroup
| > | > name, and the single IP address you've allowed, and
| > getting by your
| > | > firewall, and being able to crack your wireless
| > password, are so
| > | > remote as to be impossible.
| > | >
| > |
| > | Please quote at least some of the post to which you
are
| > replying. Your
| > | reply is incorrect regarding non-Vista MS operating
| > systems. While the
| > | name of the Workgroup seems to matter in Vista,
machines
| > running other
| > | MS operating systems can share files/printers without
| > being in the same
| > | Workgroup, Workgroups being merely a cosmetic and
| > organizational device
| > | and providing no security whatsoever.
| > |
| > | Here is the OP's question:
| > |
| > | ****
| > | Is anyone aware of a firewall for XP which allows one
to
| > set up a
| > | trusted zone based on network name or host name or
some
| > such in addition
| > | to IP address?
| > |
| > | Basically I'd like the firewall to open up my laptop
to
| > access from a
| > | particular machine on my home wifi network for backup
and
| > file sharing,
| > | but to NOT allow access when I travel with wifi. IP
| > address alone is
| > | insufficient as those may be duplicated on other wifi
| > networks.
| > | ****
| > |
| > | I believe that the OP can just not set file/printer
| > sharing to ON on the
| > | wireless connection, but there is no way for the
computer
| > on the home
| > | network to know whether the laptop is traveling or
not.
| > Perhaps what he
| > | wants to do could be managed by creating a new user on
the
| > home machine
| > | and the laptop and giving that user alone share
| > privileges. Or defer the
| > | connection to the laptop until he returns home.
| > |
| > |
| > | Malke
| > | --
| > | Elephant Boy Computers
| > |
www.elephantboycomputers.com
| > | "Don't Panic!"
| > | MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
| >
| >
|
|
