MAC address

A Media Access Control address (MAC address) is a unique identifier assigned to most modern network devices, such as computers, mobile phones, printers and other network enabled devices. It is also known as a physical address and consists of a 12-digit alphanumeric sequence which is separated by two colons.

The main purpose of the MAC address is to uniquely identify the device on a network. It is also used for communication between two or more connected devices. The MAC address allows other devices to communicate with the device, and it also allows the device to access data from the internet or external servers. It is also used to identify a device on a network, and is usually a combination of both the manufacturer’s details and the device’s serial number.

The MAC address is an important element of the network infrastructure and used by several protocols, including Ethernet and Wi-Fi. It can be found in the hardware settings, and also by running commands that are specific to the operating system. Furthermore, the MAC address is permanent and cannot be changed, unless specific hardware is patched or the device itself is replaced.

For security purposes, the MAC address should remain private and should not be shared. Malware can be used to track and exploit networks by using the MAC address to target specific devices or services. To protect your device’s MAC address, tools such as MAC address filters can be used to help prevent unauthorized access.