How do you drop an unknown wireless client?

[Mac1337]

There is one wireless client showing up on my Airport Extreme list that I don't recognize(I have an open network). How do I kick him out without restarting the router?

[Doc]

If your network is unprotected, he'll just connect again as soon as you kick him off. His computer may even do it automatically.

If you want to keep strangers from getting on your network and you won't password protect it then you're left with MAC address filtering (which is called "MAC Address Access Control" in the Airport Utility). It will prevent connections by people who try to use your network with unapproved devices.

[silvarios]

MAC address filtering will only stop accidental intrusion or the least clever free loading cretin. Don't bother. Set a password, preferably WPA2 and if you don't care about great security, pick something simple like ijustenabledwpa2. That will keep out most people.


Nathan

[Black]

silvarios wrote:
MAC address filtering will only stop accidental intrusion or the least clever free loading cretin. Don't bother. Set a password, preferably WPA2 and if you don't care about great security, pick something simple like ijustenabledwpa2. That will keep out most people.
Nathan

If he enabled MAC address filtering, and this person turned out to be a reasonably clever free loading cretin, and managed to get back in, would Dakota not see the MAC address reappear in the client list?

[john dough]

Open network = asking for trouble.

I worked with a client who insisted on doing it this way ("it was easier"), until he was told by Comcast to not use so much bandwidth or else be cut off. He lived kitty-corner to a coffee shop and was probably supplying the customers with internet access.

Since he (I) secured it, there has been no issues, whatsoever (knock on wood).

[silvarios]

Black wrote:
If he enabled MAC address filtering, and this person turned out to be a reasonably clever free loading cretin, and managed to get back in, would Dakota not see the MAC address reappear in the client list?

He would notice one of his allowed devices is connected. Then what? Would Dakota start blocking his own MAC addresses?

[Black]

silvarios wrote:
[quote=Black]
If he enabled MAC address filtering, and this person turned out to be a reasonably clever free loading cretin, and managed to get back in, would Dakota not see the MAC address reappear in the client list?

He would notice one of his allowed devices is connected. Then what? Would Dakota start blocking his own MAC address?
The clever cretin would spoof one of Dakota's MAC addresses?
Why are they not doing that now?

This discussion always stops making sense right about here.

[Mac1337]

There is a reason my network is open. I have an old Mac-Mini that uses an ASUS wireless stick. Somehow it doesn't understand whatever encryption I enable in Airport Extreme. Anyway, the original question stands. BTW, DHCP/Wireless client list doesn't get updated as clients come and go.

[deckeda]

But you can refresh/call again the page to see new clients.

Or buy a different WiFi adapter for a few bucks that completely fixes this issue.

[silvarios]

Black wrote: The clever cretin would spoof one of Dakota's MAC addresses?
Why are they not doing that now?

This discussion always stops making sense right about here.

I agree with the last sentence. It doesn't make sense. Why would someone need to spoof a MAC address if the network is wide open? They wouldn't. MAC address filtering limits what can connect to the network by checking the devices MAC address against a whitelist of allowable addresses. Unfortunately, the MAC address is broadcast in the clear. That's why it doesn't work.

Dakota,
Make sure your Airport Utility software is up to date. Your DHCP list should update.