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identify by MAC number

Forum CPU & Components : Network Interface Cards - identify by MAC number

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umala   06-12-2005 at 02:02:04 AM

I write down the MAC number for my laptop as security measure. But later on, it heard that we can easily change the MAC number so meaning, the same laptop can have different number. Is it correct and that which way to safeguard my laptop.

Regards.

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riser   06-13-2005 at 03:28:02 PM
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Why do you write it down?

The MAC address just identifies your computer on a network. If someone wants it, it's easily found.

You can change it, but they can find it within a second after you connect to a network or search for one with wireless.

There is no benefit in changing your MAC address.

Reply to riser
Ned_Flanders   06-15-2005 at 04:02:00 AM
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Unless it is a big MAC address. [/hahaha]

______________
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camieabz   06-16-2005 at 10:21:04 PM
- 0 +

How can you change a MAC addy?

Isn't it hardwired into the card/interface?

<b><font color=blue>~ <A HREF="http://forums.btvillarin.com/index.php?act=ST&f=41&t=324&s=58e94ba84a16bedfebbf0f416d5bac48" target="_new">System Specs</A> ~<font color=blue></b> :wink:

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riser   06-16-2005 at 10:54:11 PM
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I believe it's an EPROM and there is a tool that you can flash over it. I read on it a year or so. You have to flash the chip and you do some stuff. There's some information out there if you google it.

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camieabz   06-17-2005 at 01:15:03 AM
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Ahh. Makes sense. I take it the manufacturers bit is unchangable?

<b><font color=blue>~ <A HREF="http://forums.btvillarin.com/index.php?act=ST&f=41&t=324&s=58e94ba84a16bedfebbf0f416d5bac48" target="_new">System Specs</A> ~<font color=blue></b> :wink:

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riser   06-17-2005 at 03:58:17 PM
- 0 +

I'm not really sure.. You would think not but I vaguely remember reading the article and I didn't see any valid use for the feature.

I want to say it was on 3Com reusing old MAC addresses and they ran into a problem so they put out some feature that would change the MAC address.

I can't imagine they'd let you change the manufacturer's bit though.

I just did a google search and found someone else who seemed more aware of it that I, but he wasn't detailed himself:

" it IS POSSIBLE to physically change the mac address. but MOST network cards dont support that feature. it requires an eprom (erasable programmable read-only memory). with that it can be done at the physical level."


Which I guess is why I keep thinking the article I read only pertained to 3Com and not others.

Reply to riser
Rob423   06-24-2005 at 04:01:57 PM
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like you said before, theres no point going through all that crap...

it will easily be found once you connect.

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Anonymous   06-27-2005 at 10:15:11 PM
- 0 +

and easier too spoof!

Asus P4P800DX, P4C 2.6ghz@3.25ghz, 2X512 OCZ PC4000 3-4-4-8, MSI 6800Ultra stock, 2X30gig Raid0

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wadeal   07-19-2005 at 06:55:36 AM
- 0 +

You just need a MAC emulator, thats what hackers and crap use if the security is based on MAC addresses. Thats why a simple MAC address isn't enough.

Pentium 4 2.8 @ 3.2 + ASUS P4P800 + 512mb DDR400 Ram at 230mhz + XpertVision 6600GT 560mhz core and 1.11ghz ram = 8500 on 3DMark 2003.

Reply to wadeal
Dev   07-27-2005 at 12:49:23 PM
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Most nics support spoofing your mac address these days. Find your nic in the device manager, choose advanced and select locally administered address or something similar. I have no idea why you'd want to do that unless it's a server though.

---
I want my epitaph to be: "Moved to /dev/null"

Reply to Dev
tcsdoc   11-10-2005 at 11:16:34 PM
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Copying your MAC address for security is not going to help. As stated in previous posts it's easy to spoof the address, especially if it's wireless.

How was this going to aid in security?

Reply to tcsdoc
CcAgan   02-23-2006 at 09:59:21 PM
- 0 +

Well, I think its a good idea.

It is on the bottom of your laptop because you cant see your actual nic card that is internal.. if you did pull your lappy appart... it would be printed there as well. For proof of property ownership, its a nice thing to have. Good move.

Reply to CcAgan
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