Sometimes we want to do things that require us to change the MAC address associated with our networking device. Say, get on a network that’s filtered by MAC addresses, or, add an extra level of anonymity when you’re on an open wireless network.
It’s pretty simple. Open up the terminal. Type:
ifconfig en1: for your wireless device, or
ifconfig en0: for your wired device.
This will give you your default MAC address. Make sure to copy it down, and save it somewhere so you can chance it back when you want to.
Now to change the MAC address on your wireless card type:
sudo ifconfig en1 ether aa:bb:cc:dd:ee:ff
Enter your password and you’re done. Now, a side note here is that the aa:bb:cc:dd:ee:ff has to be between 0-9, and a-f. So, for instance, a1:b2:c3:d4:e5:f6 would work. m4:1z:3d:l5:az:K6 would not!
Now if I could only change my wireless modes I’d be set!
February 28th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Not so fast, cowboy.
Apple giveth, and now hath taken away.
Under 10.4 on a Powerbook G4, I could change the MAC on the ethernet card, but not the airport.
Under 10.5 up through the latest patch on a MacBook, i could change the MAC on the airport but not the ethernet card.
As of the latest patch (firmware update for the keyboard, and other things not listed in detail) I can’t change any MAC addresses at all.
Thanks, Apple. I paid for this computer. It should do what *I* want it to do, not what you dictate.