MAC Address

A MAC address, standing for Media Access Control address, is a unique identifier assigned to network interfaces for communications on the physical network segment. This address is a crucial component of network communication, utilized in the data link layer of network architectures. It is hardcoded by the device manufacturer onto the network interface card (NIC) and is a fundamental part of the hardware that cannot typically be changed.

Despite its permanent nature, software tools can allow for MAC addresses to be changed or spoofed in some circumstances, which can be used for legitimate purposes such as privacy enhancement or testing. However, it can also be exploited for malicious activities, such as evading network access controls. Thus, MAC addresses play a dual role in both enabling network functionality and presenting challenges in network security.