If a device's MAC address is on the whitelist, what happens when it tries to connect?

• A. The device is allowed to connect.
• B. The device is denied unless a password is provided.
• C. The device is denied and logged.
• D. The device's traffic is placed on a guest network automatically.

Answer: (A)

MAC address filtering with a whitelist means only devices whose hardware addresses are on the approved list are granted access. If a device’s MAC address matches an entry on the whitelist, the network recognizes it as trusted and allows it to connect. There’s no requirement for a password in this scenario, unlike a setup that demands credentials for every device.

The other possibilities would apply in different configurations: requiring a password would indicate a password-based or enterprise authentication step beyond a simple allowlist; denying and logging would occur if the MAC isn’t on the list or if another rule blocks it; placing traffic on a guest network is a separate policy that routes devices differently, not an automatic result of being on the whitelist.

Keep in mind that MAC filtering is a basic control and can be bypassed by spoofing, so it’s best used alongside stronger authentication methods for robust security.