To safeguard networks from unwanted access, network security managers employ a variety of techniques.
A technique that is becoming more and more prevalent is MAC Address filtering. This article describes MAC Address filtering in detail, outlining its benefits and how it improves the safety of networks.
Deciphering MAC Address Mysteries
Every gadget in the huge network of internet-connected devices has a unique identity called a MAC (Media Access Control) address. It is also known as a physical address because it is tied to the network interface controller(NIC) of the device. A NIC is a piece of hardware that provides a device with the capability for internet connectivity.
Every NIC has a 12-character unique code, which is similar to a virtual fingerprint and helps to identify it from other devices in the digital world.
Similar to how your laptop and iPhone are not the same, every device has a unique MAC Address assigned to it jointly by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) and the vendor of the device.
These hexadecimal codes, which are shown in the 00-00-00-00-00-00 format, are made up of a mix of letters and digits (0-9, a-f) that have distinct meanings. The first six characters are vendor specific. They are assigned by IEEE. This essentially means that you can identify which company sold the device. The last characters are the serial number and they are assigned by the vendor.
You may use several web tools, such as https://dnschecker.org/mac-lookup.php, to investigate the sources of your device’s MAC Address and determine what company made it. It is quite simple to determine the manufacturer by using this technique.
Deciphering MAC Address Filtering
MAC address filtering is a powerful procedure in network security that may allow or prevent certain MAC Addresses from connecting to a local network. In case you want to control internet access within a local or wide area network, you can do so with MAC Address filtering.
How does it work?
Suppose you have a household Wi-Fi connection with two devices connected: Jack’s Cellphone (8c:d2:ae:7f:9a:5b) and Mason’s Computer (4a:1b:8f:2d:6c:3e), which are both recognized by their MAC Addresses.
Let’s say you have set up MAC Address filtration on your network. If you add Mason’s MAC Address to the Whitelist and choose to block all others, he will have full access to the Internet while Jack’s efforts to get online will fail.
In contrast, if you opt to permit access to Jack’s cellphone by whitelisting his MAC Address while banning all others, he will get permission to access the internet while Mason won’t.
The MAC addresses or devices that are whitelisted are the ones that are selected and granted access to the internet. Conversely, blacklisted addresses are those that are not allowed to connect to the internet after being subjected to MAC address filtering’s thorough examination.
Faking an IP address can be easier, in fact, changing your MAC Address is more difficult and frequently requires purchasing new equipment or making extensive tweaks inside the device’s control panel.
MAC Address Filtering Benefits
MAC address filtering is one of the most straightforward and efficient network safety techniques today. Let’s examine the benefits that this powerful technique offers for improving networks’ overall security.
Enhanced Protection:
- Devices can only connect if their MAC Addresses are authorized.
- It provides more protection than simply using a password.
Example: Even if your friend knows the Wi-Fi password, they won’t be able to connect to the internet if their phone’s MAC Address isn’t included.
Implementation Simplicity:
- It’s simple to set up MAC Address filtering.
- It is simple to configure a network device with a set of MAC Addresses.
For example, it’s similar to having a bouncer at a club; only those on the VIP list are allowed in.
Reduced Danger of Unauthorized Entry:
- Because MAC addresses are distinct, there is less chance of unwanted access.
- The MAC Address must be accepted, even if the password is known.
Example: Let’s say someone has the proper invitation (password) to visit the meeting location. They must also be on the permitted attendee list (MAC address whitelist) to obtain access. Even with the invitation, they wouldn’t be let through the checkpoint if they weren’t on the guest list.
Quickly Find Your MAC Address and Explore Device Details
The command prompt is the most efficient method for determining the MAC Address of your device. If you’re not tech-savvy, don’t worry; it’s an easy procedure.
Step 1: Type ‘cmd’ into the computer’s search box to open the Command Prompt.
Step 2: Type ‘ipconfig /all’ (without quotes) into the Command Prompt window and hit Enter.
Step 3: Look for the ‘Physical Address’ under the relevant adapter area. This string is the MAC Address for your device.
Note: You will see separate MAC Addresses displayed under each adapter if you have both Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections. For the wired (Ethernet) connection, there will be one MAC Address, and for the wireless connection, there will be another MAC Address.
Additionally, you may utilize online MAC Address Lookup services to find out more information about your MAC Address, like the manufacturer or device data. With only a few clicks, these services provide all the information and sources of your device’s MAC Address.
Challenges & Things to Think About
Although MAC Address filtering is an asset for network safety, network administrators must take into account a few issues and challenges:
Static Nature of MAC Addresses:
MAC addresses are usually encoded into devices and don’t change over time. When devices need to be upgraded or replaced, this static nature may create problems. To account for changes in the inventory of devices, admins must update the MAC Address filtering settings. This may be a tedious and lengthy procedure, particularly in large networks.
MAC Address Management’s Complexity:
It might be difficult to manage MAC Addresses over a large network architecture. Keeping an accurate and current whitelist of permitted MAC Addresses gets more difficult as the number of devices rises. It is the responsibility of administrators to keep a close eye on and maintain the whitelist in order to keep unauthorized devices off the network.
Strict Safety Features:
MAC Address filtering does not encrypt data sent over the network, even though it gives access control by permitting or prohibiting devices based on their MAC addresses. This implies that information sent between devices is still susceptible to eavesdropping and interception. Further safety precautions like WPA3 encryption are recommended to provide complete network protection in order to prevent this issue.
Conclusion
MAC Address filtering is a powerful technique that strengthens network safety by restricting access using device-specific IDs. Network security is improved overall when MAC Address filtering is used as an efficient protector, adding an additional level of defense against unwanted access. Administrators may reliably control and limit network access by utilizing this technology, reducing possible risks and protecting against unauthorized invasions.
