Laboratory work # 13 Theme: Configuring security mechanisms for a Wi-Fi network

Filtering devices by MAC address
The next setting is filtering the MAC addresses of connecting devices.
MAC address is a unique device address, each device has its own MAC address used to identify it. In the router settings, you can specify the MAC addresses of devices that can connect to your network. When this function is activated, a device that is not included in this list will not be able to connect to the network. Or, on the contrary, add to this list those devices that access will be blocked.
This is the most effective router protection, but it is only suitable for organizations with a specific number of users, since for a home network, when connecting new users, you will have to go to the router settings and enter their MAC address, which is not very convenient.
To activate this option, open "Wireless MAC filtering", which is located in the wireless network settings tab.

Here, click " Enable "and check the box next to" Deny the stations specified by any enabled entries in the list to access"or" Allow... "and add the MAC addresses of these devices.
To add them, click The "Add New" button.

Updating the router's firmware
Another important point to consider when configuring security is installing new firmware on the router. The latest firmware will fix errors and close various vulnerabilities of the device that allow you to hack the network.
The software update function is usually found in the router's "System Tools" / "firmware Upgrade" menu.

You can download the latest firmware version from the official website of the router manufacturer. In my case, it is TP-Link. The official website of the company is https://www.tp-link.com.
On the site go to the Menu / Support / Downloads (https://www.tp-link.com/ru-ua/support/download/). And find your model among the offered routers.
Before you download the firmware, you need to find out the hardware version of the router. If you install a different version of the firmware, it may cause damage to the device and cause it to fail. The version is indicated at the bottom of the router on the sticker.
However, you can install not only standard firmware on your router, but also other newer or alternative firmware. The main thing is that it fits your device model.

Select the file and specify the path to the downloaded software, and then click "Upgrade".

After the update procedure is complete, the router will restart automatically.
Firmware download pages for other router manufacturers:
TP-Link
ASUS
D-Link
Tenda
NETGEAR
Linksys
Synology
Zyxel
Keenetic
Almost all router manufacturers provide the ability to download firmware for their routers. The SOFTWARE download page is usually located on the company's support page.