How important is MAC Address Filtering, compared with...?

I have my wireless home network securely encoded with a WPA2 pass-phrase. Does it make sense for me to bother with MAC Address Filtering or should this be good enough?

Also, I'm interested in getting a Powerbook / Macbook and working on some business-sensitive material at coffeeshops / libraries. Is this just not a good idea (period) or are there some defensive measures one can take that really do protect you under regular circumstances in this type of setting? If so, what are they?

THANKS!!

MAC filtering is good since every nic card (wifi or not) is unique.

Your setup should be good with password, and to improvise it, you can set your wireless router not to broadcast your SSID.

Yes, there is a tool to find out the SSID, but how many people want to buy such thing unless either required for work, or some people with ALOT of free times? :D

About using public internet and working with sensitive data, I think overall Apple is good choice. Here is why:

1. Apple runs OS X and pretty much virus free
2. Apple is cool (fashion statement if you may say). I am not Apple user, but i do like its design (hardware and software)

There is no way to make your system secure cause there will be more powerful virus, smarter ways to steal your data or harm your computer. All you need is common sense of how much you are willing to do in order to secure your data and your system.

Here are the following "basic" things AT LEAST you can do to secure your data and your system, regardless you are in public (including office) or at home:

1. DO NOT login with an administrative account to perform your daily task. Create a separate account for your daily task and grant it with user previlages only. Login with admin account when you need to install/unistall application, do the maintanance, etc.

2. If you are working from office, and you are using wired internet, turn off your wireless. Only turn it on when you need it. This also applies to your bluetooth devices (if any)

3. Change your password on regular basis. Don't have plain password. Combine upper,lower, @, #, $, _, - , etc. in your password. Make it at least 6 to 8 character long. For example: I@m_y0Ur_FR313n

4. ALWAYS have your system get the latest updates (patches). You can have the operating system install the patches automatically everytime they are available

5. ALWAYS logging off from the system or when you logged on to some secure site (or email). I have seen people they simply close their windows. That would leave opening session stays open that potentially can be hacked. After all, anything you open, should be closed...eventually :D

6. Do data backup. Depends on how big your data is, you can buy external portable hard drive and copy your data to it on regular basis, or if you have cd/dvd writer, you can burn the data on blank CD/DVD. Broken laptop is not as important as losing your data....


Hoepe it helps...

Although MAC Address Filtering is an added security feature of your network when done right, honestly for me, your pass-phrase is good enough for a security measure because unless you're making a lot of enemies, they won't really try to get into your network.