Imac G3 and wireless internet

[Intell]

MAC address filtering is not at all secure and extremely easy to break into.

 

[christarp]

MAC address filtering is not at all secure and extremely easy to break into.

If security is top priority then I don't think using old computers is a very smart thing to do anyway. If this is a home network it'll likely be enough to stop a random stranger.

 

[comda]

Alternatively you could probably set up a second wireless network in your router config using a lower encryption setting like wpa and only whitelist the address of your imac g3 so only it would be able to connect.

Thats exactly what i was thinking. Thanks for clearing it up guys. Much appreciated.

 

[Intell]

If security isn't a priority, then why even use MAC address filtering? Why not just use a WEP key or no encryption at all?

 

[christarp]

If security isn't a priority, then why even use MAC address filtering? Why not just use a WEP key or no encryption at all?

I'm not saying it's not a priority, just not a top priority. by all means if the OP wants a fairly secure connection he probably should seek out other options.

Personally, with regular old WPA and a simple mac filter (which yes can easily be spoofed like you mentioned) I'd feel fairly confident that most people wouldn't bother to get into my home network, but that's just me.

You may feel differently, OP may feel differently, and that's fine.

 

[catzilla]

Alternatively you could probably set up a second wireless network in your router config using a lower encryption setting like wpa and only whitelist the address of your imac g3 so only it would be able to connect.

I like that idea...

 

[comda]

i have an old linksys wireless router. Ive done it before where ive set it to WEP and it worked just didnt want to go that low on security. however. I will be using this machine maybe once a month to connect to internet so i will either use the old router for that time spam or just use the macbook and have it feed ethernet to it.

 

[MatthewLTL]

I've had good luck with this Tenda WU311 Wireless Stick on a G3 iMac:

http://www.amazon.com/Tenda-W311U-Network-adapter-Hi-Speed/dp/B001BBURAA

Original drivers are here:

http://www.tenda.cn/tendacn/DownLoads/show.aspx?downid=764

Updated drivers are here:

http://download.wireless-driver.com...2/RTUSBD2870-3.0.3.0UI-3.0.0.0_2010_10_29.dmg

There's a newer driver out there for Leopard; you need to find the Ralink Utility for the RT2870 chipset.

I have a Long Range Wifi antenna that uses the RT2870 chipset, there is no RT2870 driver for PowerPC or Leopard atleast none i can find

 

[YanniDepp]

The best thing to do, speed-wise, is to get an Airport Express, join it to your wifi network, then connect it to the iMac through ethernet.

That way, you don't have to take your Mac apart to put a new wireless card in, and you're not limited by the 12Mbps USB1 ports. And you can still use modern encryption standards like WPA2 on your network.

 

[poiihy]

The best thing to do, speed-wise, is to get an Airport Express, join it to your wifi network, then connect it to the iMac through ethernet.

That way, you don't have to take your Mac apart to put a new wireless card in, and you're not limited by the 12Mbps USB1 ports. And you can still use modern encryption standards like WPA2 on your network.

Or, you can get an old Airport, connect it to your router, and make a new WiFi network for your old Macs.

 

[Gamer9430]

Or, you can get an old Airport, connect it to your router, and make a new WiFi network for your old Macs.

That would probably be the best route, in my opinion.

 

[Altemose]

It does not have to be an old AirPort though. Most wireless routers can work as a simple access point too.