MAC address

• A MAC address (Media Access Control address) is a unique identifier assigned to the network hardware of a device
• like your computer, smartphone, or Wi-Fi router.
• Think of it as the "serial number" for the network card inside your device that allows it to connect to a network.

Key Points

• Uniqueness: Every device that can connect to a network (like Ethernet or Wi-Fi) has its own MAC address, and no two devices should have the same MAC address.
  • It's like a fingerprint for your device's network interface.
• Format: A MAC address is usually 12 characters long and is written in pairs of hexadecimal numbers, often separated by colons or dashes.
• Where it's used: MAC addresses are used in local networks (like your home Wi-Fi) to identify devices. When your router sends data, it uses the MAC address to know which device to send it to.
• Fixed in hardware: Unlike an IP address, which can change, a MAC address is "burned" into the device's network card and doesn't usually change (though some systems allow you to change it temporarily, which is called "MAC address spoofing").

Purposes

• A MAC address can identify a device on a network
• A MAC address can help troubleshoot and secure a network.
• While a MAC address doesn't display any personally identifiable information, it can reveal a user's movements based on the Wi-Fi hotspots they pass by.
• An administrator of a large network can track a user through that network if they know their MAC address