What is a MAC Address and How It Affects Your Network Security

If you have a look around your settings app, you'll find many weird acronyms, numbers, and letters when you reach the section with information about your device. Your model name, number, Wi-Fi address, Bluetooth, EID, MAC address, etc.

Mysterium VPN is here today to teach you about the last one – the MAC address. Let's dive deep into the world of media access control (MAC)!

What Is a MAC Address?

A MAC address (media access control address) is a 12-digit hexadecimal number assigned to each device connected to the network.

Primarily specified as a unique identifier during device manufacturing, the MAC address is often found on a device's network interface card (NIC).

A MAC address is required when trying to locate a device or when performing diagnostics on a network device.

The MAC address belongs to the data link layer of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model.

OSI encapsulates the MAC address of the source and destination in the header of each data frame to ensure node-to-node communication.

What Does a MAC Address Look Like?

The MAC address is a twelve-digit long hexadecimal number (a base-16 numbering system that uses 0-9 and A-F, to represent values).

It's most often displayed with a colon or hyphen separating every two digits (an octet), making it easier to read.

Example: A MAC address of 2c549188c9e3 is typically displayed as:

• 2C:54:91:88:C9:E3;
• 2c-54-91-88-c9-e3.

Types of MAC addresses

MAC (Media Access Control) addresses are unique identifiers assigned to devices for network communication, and they come in three main types:

Unicast MAC Address

• What it does: Identifies a single, specific device on a network.
• Example use: If your laptop sends data to a printer, it uses the printer's unicast MAC address.
• Key feature: The first bit of the first byte is 0, indicating it's meant for one device.

Think of it as a home address – data goes to one specific house (device).

Multicast MAC address

• What it does: Identifies a group of devices on a network that want to receive the same data.
• Example use: Streaming a video to multiple devices in a group.
• Key feature: The first bit of the first byte is 1, and it’s designed for one-to-many communication.

Think of it as a group email – multiple recipients get the same message.

Broadcast MAC address

• What it does: Sends data to all devices on the same network segment.
• Example use: When a device joins a network and needs to announce itself (e.g., an address resolution protocol (ARP) request).
• Key feature: The MAC address is FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF (all bits are 1).

Think of it as a loudspeaker announcement – everyone in the room (network) hears it.

TL;DR

• Unicast: One-to-one.
• Multicast: One-to-many.
• Broadcast: One-to-all.

Can a Device Have More Than One Mac Address?

Yes, devices can have a few possible MAC addresses. That's because, for each network interface in your device, there's a unique MAC address tied to it.

Thus, if your computer has both an Ethernet port and Wi-Fi built-in, you'll see two MAC addresses in the system configuration.

How to Find the MAC Address?

Generally, you'll find MAC addresses in the system settings, general information, or network settings/status of your device. Sometimes, the MAC address is printed on a label affixed to the bottom of a device.

Here's your definitive guide to locating your unique MAC address for multiple devices!

iPhone

1. Go to the Settings app;
2. Select General, and click on About;
3. The wireless MAC address is listed next to the Wi-Fi Address.

Android

1. Open the Settings app;
2. Select About Phone/Tablet > Status;
3. The MAC address appears under the  Wi-Fi MAC address.

Mac

1. Open System Preferences;
2. Click on the Network icon;
3. Select the interface you wish to use, then click Advanced;
4. The MAC address is listed under the Hardware tab.

Windows

1. Press Start + R on your keyboard;
2. In the Run window, type in cmd and click OK;
3. At the command prompt window, type ipconfig /all and hit Enter;
4. The MAC address for each interface will be listed as the Physical Address:
   • For wired interfaces, look for the term Ethernet or Gigabit in the name or description;
   • For wireless interfaces, look for the terms Wireless or Wi-Fi in the name or description.

Linux

1. Log in as a superuser or with appropriate permissions;
2. Open a terminal or console window;
3. Type ifconfig;
4. The MAC address is listed as HWaddr.

Roku Players

1. From the Home screen, select Settings (look for the gear icon);
2. Select Network;
3. Select About;
4. The MAC address is displayed on the right side under the Ethernet MAC address;

Apple TVs

1. From the main screen, go to system settings;
2. Select Network;
3. The MAC addresses will be displayed next to the Ethernet address or Wi-Fi address.

Amazon Fire TV

1. From the Home screen, scroll to the right and select Settings;
2. Select My Fire TV;
3. Select About;
4. Select Network;
5. The MAC addresses should be displayed on the right.

PlayStation

Here's how you can find your device's MAC address based on the model of your PlayStation.

PlayStation 3

1. Power on your PS3 without a disc;
2. From the home screen, select Settings;
3. Select Network Settings;
4. Select Settings and Connection Status List;
5. Scroll down to see the MAC addresses.

PlayStation 4

1. Power on your PS4 without a disc;
2. Bring up the toolbar and select Settings;
3. Select System;
4. Select System Information;
5. The MAC addresses should be displayed on the screen.

PlayStation 5

1. From the main screen, select Settings;
2. Select Network;
3. Select Connection Status;
4. Select View Connection Status;
5. The MAC addresses should be displayed near the top of the page.

Nintendo Switch

1. From the Home screen, select System Settings;
2. Select Internet.
   • For wireless connections
     1. Select Internet Settings;
     2. Scroll to the very bottom to see the MAC address;
   • For wired connections (assumes USB LAN adapter and TV dock).
     1. Select Internet Settings;
     2. Select Wired Connection;
     3. The MAC address should be displayed at the bottom.

Xbox

Here's how you can find your device's MAC address based on the model of your Xbox.

Xbox 360

1. From the Xbox Dashboard, scroll to Settings and select the System tile;
2. Select Network Settings;
3. Select the interface you wish to use, then click Configure Network;
4. Select the Additional Settings tab;
5. Select Advanced Settings;
6. The MAC address should be listed on the left.

Xbox One

1. Go to My Xbox from the Xbox Dashboard and select Settings;
2. Select Network;
3. Select Advanced Settings;
4. The MAC addresses should be listed on the right.

Xbox Series X/S

1. Press the Xbox button on your controller;
2. Select Settings under the Profile & System section;
3. Highlight General and select Network Settings;
4. Select Advanced Settings;
5. Select IP settings;
6. The MAC addresses should be listed on the right.

What Is the Difference Between a MAC Address vs. IP Address?

The function of both MAC and IP addresses is the same: to identify a device on a network.

While the IP (internet protocol) address identifies a device worldwide or through its internet address, the MAC address only identifies the device's physical address on the same local network.

Here's a breakdown of the difference between a MAC address and an IP address.

MAC Address

• A Layer 2 address that is used to identify devices on a local network;
• Composed of 12 hexadecimal digits in six pairs (e.g., 00-00-5E-00-53-FF);
• Hardcoded into the device at manufacturing but can be altered or spoofed with software;
• Often referred to as a "physical address field."

IP Address

• A Layer 3 address that manages device communication on a global scale;
• For IPv4: 32 bits (e.g., 192.0.2.127); for IPv6: 128 bits (e.g., 2001:0DB8:1234:0000:A1EA:A004:4001:53C8);
• Assigned manually or dynamically (e.g., via DHCP) and can be changed at any time;
• Often referred to as a "logical address."

Why Should a MAC Address Be Unique in a LAN Network?

A MAC address should be unique in a local area network (LAN network) because it’s like a name tag for devices.

If two devices have the same MAC address, the network gets confused about where to send data, just like a mailman would get confused if two houses had the same address. This can lead to:

• Data going to the wrong device or getting lost.
• Network errors and devices not being able to connect properly.

A unique MAC address ensures that each device gets the data meant for it, keeping the network organized and working smoothly!

MAC Address and VPN Connection

A MAC address is used locally, while a VPN hides your online identity on the internet. They don’t directly interact, but both can play a role in enhancing privacy and security in different ways.

MAC Address Visibility on Local Network

A VPN doesn't hide your MAC address on your local network. Your MAC address is only used for communication within your local network (like between your device and your router).

Devices on the same network (like your ISP or router) can still see your MAC address even if you’re using a VPN.

MAC Address Isn’t Transmitted Over the Internet

MAC addresses aren’t sent beyond your local network.

When your data leaves your router (to the internet), the MAC address is stripped away, and only the VPN IP address (and encrypted data) is visible to external servers.

Changing MAC Address for Privacy

Some users combine a VPN with MAC address spoofing (changing their MAC address) to add an extra layer of privacy, especially on public Wi-Fi networks.

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