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Device identification
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Reading through this again, I neglected to mention a common issue with modern software for mobile devices (phones, tablets, laptops). There is almost a mania about being "tracked"*. The newest software for Android, Apple, and various laptops includes a feature to "anonymize" the MAC address. So, rather than connect to WiFi networks using the physical hardware MAC address, the device invents a pseudo MAC address that is different for every WiFi network. No longer can the FBI (CIA, Google, whoever) say, "aha! This phone has been to Starbucks, to the Kaiser Hospital, to the Hilton Hotel, to ....wherever.... Wonder which userswe know who goes to those places??? (And, at these times?)
I find this extremely annoying when trying to assign IP addresses and label devices, so every time my phone, tablet, laptop software gets updated and that feature gets turned on again, I go into network settings and turn it back off. (so there!)
* Remind me, what was part of the compelling evidence that led to the arrest of the (alleged) murderer in Idaho?
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Re: Device identification
Every device has a unique Media Access Control (MAC) address:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAC_address
These usually appear in the Network settings or under "About" device. Many devices have the MAC address printed on the product label. I do not do "fruit" devices, so am not familiar with how to find their MAC address. Suggest Google search.
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Reading through this again, I neglected to mention a common issue with modern software for mobile devices (phones, tablets, laptops). There is almost a mania about being "tracked"*. The newest software for Android, Apple, and various laptops includes a feature to "anonymize" the MAC address. So, rather than connect to WiFi networks using the physical hardware MAC address, the device invents a pseudo MAC address that is different for every WiFi network. No longer can the FBI (CIA, Google, whoever) say, "aha! This phone has been to Starbucks, to the Kaiser Hospital, to the Hilton Hotel, to ....wherever.... Wonder which userswe know who goes to those places??? (And, at these times?)
I find this extremely annoying when trying to assign IP addresses and label devices, so every time my phone, tablet, laptop software gets updated and that feature gets turned on again, I go into network settings and turn it back off. (so there!)
* Remind me, what was part of the compelling evidence that led to the arrest of the (alleged) murderer in Idaho?
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Re: Device identification
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Re: Device identification
@CrimpOn wrote:
The newest software for Android, Apple, and various laptops includes a feature to "anonymize" the MAC address.
There's even a setting to enable this in Windows 11!
Use random hardware addresses in Windows 11 - Search
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