Wow, has Linux caught up with Windows, then? :p

SD

If you listen carefully, you can hear the little voice trailing along behind you muttering % sudo sh -c "cd /home ; du -s * | sort -rn > USAGE"

UNIXMAN
Interesting, I thought that the M A C address filter function in the router settings only allowed those computers which had the M A C addresses listed and locked into the router access to the router.
Following some not so deep thought I now understand that a particular listed filtered computer sends out its MAC unencrypted, so someone could capture that address and use it to by-pass the MAC filtering.

Cheers

MAC address filtering is a total waste of time

Not quite. It means my various devices always have the same IP address on the network, so I can upload updated datafiles to them without having to find out what today's IP address is. I have a couple of bookmarks called "iPad" and "iPhone".

That's done by the router recognising their MAC addresses and giving them their fixed IPs.

thats not MAC filtering
its static DHCP - a different animal

Or "reservation" in MS speak.

SD

Maintenance Login
 

One concern I have with people leaving the default maintenance login (admin/password) in place is access from the Internet side.

You can configure WPA or whatever to secure your WiFi side. But there may be Evil Things people can do if they can get in to your router from the public side. Turning on or off some features to use it as a zombie proxy node, for example. That will allow them to anonymize their (probably illegal) activities through your home location. Or just get in and break things.

I've been spurred into setting proper passwords, but I doubt that would stop the serious geeks.

I used to turn the old router off with the rest of the kit, but this Motorola takes an age to fire up. The technician that came round to tend to something said most people leave them on 24/7

I often go into people's houses and see dozens of LEDs glowing away. They happily go away for weeks with all this kit left on.

Older versions of Zone Alarm's tray icon gave a fairly reliable indication of traffic, but later (v9 onwards) don't. It still flashes some of the time, but often stays motionless even when I know I am downloading something. I saw plenty of complaints on their forum when this retrograde step was introduced. Even more irritatingly the old Netgear DG 834 router had a re-assuring flashing "traffic" LED, yet on my newer DGN 2200 all the lights remain constant, regardless of activity. It also takes much longer to boot up...

"MAC address filtering is a total waste of time"

Milo, care to elaborate? I'm always willing to learn! I do have static DHCP as well.

The problem is that the MAC addresses of legitimate wifi users on a WLAN can be "sniffed" and then very easily spoofed. All PC NICs - wired and wireless - that I've come across can have the MAC address manually set. There are several valid reasons for needing to do this, plus some not so legitimate!

SD

You can try Wireless Network Watcher, free software from Nirsoft (who makes lots of free utilities). It basically reports all connected devices, wired as well as wireless, and highlights "unknown" devices. Might be useful to see if there is any unauthorized access.

I wonder what would show up in a hotel or airport lobby, would it identify any user.

@ SD - thanks.

@ Mark in CA - thanks also. A handy little utility, particularly as it doesn't need installing.