What technique allows only specific devices to connect to a wireless network?

The technique that allows only specific devices to connect to a wireless network is known as MAC address filtering. Each network device has a unique identifier called a Media Access Control (MAC) address. By implementing MAC address filtering, a network administrator can create a list of approved MAC addresses. Only devices with addresses that are on this list will be permitted access to the network, effectively controlling which devices can connect and enhancing the overall security of the wireless network.

This method serves as a basic form of access control, allowing administrators to limit network access to trusted devices, which mitigates the risk of unauthorized access. However, it is important to note that MAC addresses can potentially be spoofed by determined attackers, so while MAC address filtering enhances security, it should not be relied upon as the sole method of protection.

Other listed options serve different purposes or relate to different aspects of network security. VPNs provide secure remote access to a network over the internet, WEP encryption is an outdated method of securing wireless communication, and SSID broadcasting refers to the visibility of the network name to devices, which does not inherently control access. These functionalities do not provide the specific device-level access control that MAC address filtering does.