Under Windows XP, the MAC address can be changed in the Ethernet adapter’s Properties menu, in the Advanced tab, as “MAC Address”, “Locally Administered Address”, “Ethernet Address” or “Network Address”. The AirPort Extreme MAC address can also be changed easily with SpoofMac. There are not, as of yet, any known ways to spoof original AirPort (1.0) cards. Instructions on spoofing AirPort Extreme (2.0) cards are available here.

This must be done as the superuser and only works for the computer’s ethernet card. Under Mac OS X, the MAC address can be altered in a fashion similar to the Linux and FreeBSD methods: IEEE 802.1x is an emerging standard better suited to authenticating devices at a low level. A MAC address is 48 bits in length.Īs a MAC address can be changed, it can be unwise to rely on this as a single method of authentication. Changing the MAC address in this way is not permanent: after a reboot, it will revert to the MAC address physically stored in the card. Similarly, some software licenses are bound to a specific MAC address. Changing the MAC address of the new interface will solve the problem. Some internet service providers bind their service to a specific MAC address if the user then changes their network card or intends to install a router, the service won’t work anymore. This can be useful for privacy reasons, for instance when connecting to a Wi-Fi hotspot, or to ensure interoperability. Although physical MAC (Media Access Control) addresses are permanent by design, several mechanisms allow modification, or “spoofing”, of the MAC address that is reported by the operating system.

My mac address