MAC filtering and SSID

[JP5]

Two questions...

1. If I use MAC filtering to allow only my wireless devices to connect to my WLAN as well as disable SSID, do I need to use WAP encryption at all?

2. With a wireless router acting as the firewall, do I still need to use ZoneAlarm?

 

[JP5]

I did some research and it looks like disabling SSID is good, but doesn't do that much if someone is actively sniffing your packets because it isn't encrypted.

But it seems to me like MAC filtering would be pretty solid defense.

 

[FiL]

what is SSID?

and am i right in thinking that MAC filtering simply dis-allows every wireless connection UNLESS it has a MAC address that you have enabled in the router? how do i find out a MAC address for a NIC or other wireless device?

if that's right then at least only friendly machines can connect, but can someone read WiFi traffic over the airwaves? or is it all encrpted anyway?

excuse my complete lack of knowledge