Netgear routers - Computer Help & PC Help Forums

**Dalo Harkin** · 08-12-2008, 07:29 AM

Right - there have been a few people experiencing Netgear routers dropping in connection -
by far the most common reason for this I have seen is settings within the routers home page, I taken some screen shots of my Netgear router and where the settings are to add MAC codes for the PC's/Laptops that are trying to access the router -
If you are unsure what they do there is also an explanation on the page on the right in blue that explains in detail what each one does...

**AdvancedSetup** · 08-12-2008, 06:44 PM

Well I'm curious to see what you're wanting to show Dalo. Aside from using MAC filtering to keep someone out I've never input a MAC address into the router for any PC.

Thanks for sharing and hope to see what I'm missing on this subject.

**maynardvdm** · 08-12-2008, 07:29 PM

Dave if you untick Turn Access Control On then you dont need to specify the MAC address. Then just make sure that only people with the security key can connect.

Thanks for the info. Good pictures

**AdvancedSetup** · 08-12-2008, 09:29 PM

That's what I was suspecting but didn't want to say so until I saw more information. MAC access control should actually be off by default when you go to setup a new router and you would have to turn it on. In the old WEP days it was an additional item one could use, but with the tools available to hackers these days it is of little added value now days as it can be dealt with easily.

One should try to use the highest available encryption that both your PC and the Router support. Hopefully WPA2 with AES

General reading with further information
Wi-Fi Protected Access - Wikipedia

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**Dalo Harkin** · 08-14-2008, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdvancedSetup

MAC access control should actually be off by default.

Yes, it should be off by default but some of the routers that I have had to have a look at they were set to ON as defualt

and thats the only reason that they were unable to connect to the internet and kept getting a drop in connection after 20-30 seconds and then the ''page cannot be displayed error''

Just thought that this may eliminate a problem - especially on Netgear routers.

**AdvancedSetup** · 08-14-2008, 08:58 PM

Okay sounds good. IMHO best to just turn it off if it's found to be on. No real security gained there by using it (unless you're just trying to keep your kids friends from getting on it when they come over)