| When any computer connects to a network like | | | | importance. |
| the Internet it does so through an network | | | | MAC addresses are written in hexadecimal rather |
| interface or Ethernet card. These can either be | | | | than decimal simply meaning that each digit goes |
| internal as many motherboards and laptops | | | | up to 16 rather than 10, so each digit of a |
| naturally include an Ethernet port or wireless | | | | number goes from 0-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-a-b-c-d-e-f |
| Internet card with no additional hardware needed. | | | | before moving on to the next digit, meaning f is |
| Or if they aren't included, a network card can be | | | | equivalent to 16, and 11 is equivalent to 17. If that |
| added to any computer through a port very | | | | doesn't make any sense at all have no fear its |
| simply. | | | | not that important. Just know the address is |
| Regardless of what kind or brand of network | | | | stored as a twelve digit hexadecimal number |
| card your computer has that network card has | | | | separated into six pairs of two for example |
| its own unique identification number called a Media | | | | 1A:B4:C2:34:AB:1F. |
| Control Address or MAC for short that was built | | | | There are a number of reasons you might want |
| into the hardware at the factory. | | | | to change this MAC address so that it appeared |
| While IP addresses change on a regular basis the | | | | to be something different than it truly is anytime |
| concept of a MAC address is to give each | | | | its saved during your on line activity. The most |
| individual computer its own identification typically | | | | prominent reason is anonymity, simply so you can |
| this MAC address is saved for at least a very | | | | have some privacy against all the Spam that |
| short period of time every time you contact the | | | | seems to come from any angle. Another great |
| network, if you wish to have more anonymity | | | | reason is curiosity I find that I do a lot of |
| than that while you are on line then changing this | | | | computer tweaking and changing for no reason |
| MAC address somehow is of the utmost | | | | other than to explore and see if I can. |