What is a MAC ID?
Summary
A MAC ID or MAC Address is a unique string of characters that uniquely identifies any hardware device that can connect to a network.
What is a MAC ID used for?
A MAC ID is used to uniquely identify a networked device. Whether it is a PC with a NIC card or laptop with on-board network-connection circuitry, or a wireless card for Wi-fi, or maybe another wireless device such as bluetooth. Each device will have a unique number that is used to uniquely identify the connected device.
Last word
It is possible to change your MAC address, a practice known as MAC spoofing, using software or firmware. MAC spoofing is used to give your networked device the identity of another. This is useful for man-in-the-middle attacks and to get around MAC address filtering.
Article date: 6th March 2011
