Wi-Fi stealing is pretty common these days.

If you aren’t careful, your neighbor may hop on your Wi-Fi and do anything they want.

So, you should only allow selected devices to connect to your Wi-Fi web connection.

The front of a Wi-Fi router, set against a blurred background

And MAC address filtering is one way to do it.

But what is a MAC address?

And how can you enable MAC address filtering on your Wi-Fi router?

Screenshot of MAC Address of a Windows PC

Keep reading to find out.

What Is a MAC Address?

It’s a 12-digit hexadecimal number often displayed with a hyphen or colon to separate two digits.

Wi-Fi MAC address in macOS Network settings

Here is how a MAC address looks like 18-C1-66-01-91-9E.

How Is a MAC Address Different From an IP Address?

An internet service provider or online grid administrator assigns an IP address to your unit.

Screenshot of a Router’s Firmware

Then, typeGet-NetAdapterand press theEnterkey.

You have found your gadget’s MAC address.

In other words, MAC filtering works as a gatekeeper of a private event.

Screenshot of a Router’s Firmware Allowing a MAC Address in Mac Filtering

The instructions below are for D-Link routers, but the procedure is fairly similar regardless of the manufacturer.

punch in your router’s IP address in the address bar of your web net online gate.

Most wireless routers use192.168.1.1as a default address, but this is not always the case.

Screenshot of Router’s Firmware Showing MAC Filtering ON

So, check your wireless router for the right IP address.

Submit your login credentials to access your router’s firmware.

Go toFirewalland selectMAC Filter.

Screenshot of Router’s Firmware Showing Blocked Devices

SelectAllowfrom the drop-down, enter the MAC address of a equipment, and click theSavebutton.

You will need to repeat this step for all devices you want to allow on your Wi-Fi connection.

Now, chooseDefault modeasDeny.

Screenshot Router’s Firmware Showing MAC Filtering Disabled

If you just want to block specific devices on your Wi-Fi connection, SelectDefault modeasAllow.

In theList of Exceptionsarea, create a rule for devices you want to block by selectingDenyand clickingSave.

Close your router’s firmware window.

Remember that based on your router’s manufacturer, there may be slight variations in its options.

But the core concept remains the same across most Wi-Fi routers.

If a hacker gets hold of your Wi-Fi password, going over MAC filtering is an easy task.

It’s time to get in to your router’s firmware and enable MAC address filtering.