MAC address randomisation
Definition
A privacy mechanism in modern operating systems that substitutes a randomly generated MAC address for the device's globally unique burned-in address during Wi-Fi scanning and connection. Present in Android 8+, iOS 14+, and Windows 10 v1903+. Complicates cross-network tracking but does not eliminate all device-linking artefacts.
Related terms
- BSSID
- Basic Service Set Identifier. The MAC address of a specific access point radio. Used in association logs and packet captures to uniquely...
- Monitor mode
- An 802.11 radio mode that captures every wireless frame in range, including management and control frames, without associating to an access point....
- Preferred Network List (PNL)
- The list of previously joined Wi-Fi networks stored on a client device. The device automatically probes for networks on the PNL when...
- Probe request
- An 802.11 management frame broadcast by a client device when actively scanning for Wi-Fi networks. Contains the device MAC address and, in...
- RSSI
- Received Signal Strength Indicator. A value, typically expressed in dBm, recorded in access-point logs and packet captures that indicates how strongly a...
Explained in
- Wi-Fi ForensicsA privacy mechanism in modern operating systems that substitutes a randomly generated MAC address for the device's globally unique burned-in address during Wi-...