Change MAC Address (Anti-Tracking)

Why Change Your MAC Address?

A MAC address (Media Access Control) is a unique identifier assigned to your network interface card (NIC). Websites, ISPs, and network administrators can track your device based on its MAC address. Changing it can enhance privacy, security, and anonymity. Here’s how to change it temporarily, permanently, and enable automatic randomization at boot for various Linux distributions.

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Temporary MAC Address Change (Resets After Reboot)

This method applies a temporary change that reverts upon reboot.

- Works on: Ubuntu, Debian, NixOS, Arch, Gentoo, etc.

Step 1: Check Your Current MAC Address

ip link show eth0  # Replace eth0 with your interface (e.g., wlan0)

Step 2: Bring Interface Down

sudo ip link set eth0 down

Step 3: Change MAC Address

sudo ip link set eth0 address 00:11:22:33:44:55  # Use a desired MAC address

Step 4: Bring Interface Back Up

sudo ip link set eth0 up

Step 5: Verify Change

ip link show eth0

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Permanent MAC Address Change (Persists Across Reboots)

For a persistent MAC address change, use network configuration files or macchanger.

Method 1: Using macchanger

- Install macchanger:

# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt install macchanger -y

# Arch
sudo pacman -S macchanger

# Gentoo
sudo emerge --ask net-analyzer/macchanger

- Set a Permanent MAC Address:

sudo macchanger -m 00:11:22:33:44:55 eth0

To make changes persistent, modify your network configuration file:

sudo nano /etc/network/interfaces  # Ubuntu/Debian
sudo nano /etc/systemd/network/00-mac.link  # Systemd-based distros

Example entry for systemd-networkd:

[Match]
MACAddress=00:11:22:33:44:55

Restart networking services:

sudo systemctl restart systemd-networkd

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Random MAC Address on Boot (Extra Stealth)

To automate random MAC changes at every boot, use macchanger or systemd services.

Method 1: Using macchanger Auto-Randomization

Edit the default settings file:

sudo nano /etc/default/macchanger

Set ENABLE_ON_BOOT to yes:

ENABLE_ON_BOOT=yes

Enable the macchanger service:

sudo systemctl enable macchanger@eth0  # Replace eth0 with your interface

Method 2: Using Systemd for Randomization

Create a systemd service:

sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/random-mac.service

Add the following:

[Unit]
Description=Random MAC Address Change
Before=network-pre.target
Wants=network-pre.target

[Service]
Type=oneshot
ExecStart=/usr/bin/macchanger -r eth0

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

Enable and start the service:

sudo systemctl enable random-mac.service
sudo systemctl start random-mac.service

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Conclusion

Changing your MAC address is a key step in improving privacy and anonymity, especially when using public Wi-Fi or penetration testing. Use the method best suited to your OS.

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