Bell wi-fi Pods Allow access regardless MAC filtering being set

[BDR]

I have been using the MAC Filtering on my Bell Modem (Home Hub 2000) quite successfully for years.  It is a great tool to help secure home internet.  We found weak signal issues in areas of the house, so my wife ordered the PODs.  They are working, but I realised that the MAC Filtering is ignored as long as the POD has a WI-FI connection.  I have MAC Filtering setup for our known devices, but discovered that it is meaningless as long as a device can connect to the POD and has the WI-FI password. I also notice that there are random MACs connected to my WI-FI that I do not know of.  They do not match any devices or that of the PODs.  Does anyone know if the POD utilise random MACs?

How do I resolve this?  Find another service provider?

The other issue I have is that the there is no notification to me for device connecting to my WI-FI, successful or failures.

Thanks,
BR

[dks · Accepted solution]

Thank you for your questions. In my experience with pods, what you describe is normal. Random MACs are attempting to access your pods but can't because they have no passwords. There is no notification function when devices connect or disconnect to the pods in the WiFi app, 

[BDR]

Do the Bell 5G PODs utilise random MAC when connected to WIFI?  

I am seeing unknown device MACs with successful/active connections with MAC Filtering enabled and the same MACs are added to my list to allow access. 

[Vanadiel · Accepted solution]

If they are added to the allow list they will be provided with an IP upon successful authentication. Random MAC address is a function of the device that connects. It's a Windows option and used to randomize your MAC on public networks, making it harder to track you across multiple systems.

[BDR]

Nothing to do with Windows.  The issue is with the Bell wifi PODs random MAC, WPS and  MAC Filtering. 

[BDR]

I determined that the issue is with the Bell wifi PODs.  When I try to use them the only way is to Disable WPS requires me to Disable MAC Filtering.   The random mac on the POD creates the problem.  In short, if anyone wants to use the Bell WIFI POD they cannot utilise the security that MAC Filter offers.  

[dks]

Thanks for the update. Glad you were able to resolve your issue successfully.