macchanger

View the current and permanent MAC addresses of a interface

$ macchanger [[-s|--show]] [interface]

$ macchanger [[-r|--random]] [interface]

$ macchanger [[-r|--random]] [[-b|--bia]] [interface]

$ macchanger [[-m|--mac]] [XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX] [interface]

$ macchanger [[-l|--list]]

$ macchanger [[-p|--permanent]] [interface]

macchanger [options] interface

-m
    Set the MAC address to the specified value.

-e, --ether
    Same as -m.

-a, --another
    Set a random MAC address of the same vendor.

-A
    Set a completely random MAC address.

-p, --permanent
    Reset to the hardware MAC address.

-r, --random
    Set a completely random MAC address (same as -A).

-l, --list
    List known vendors (OUI prefixes).

-L, --show-man
    Show the complete vendor list in manual page format.

-v, --verbose
    Be verbose.

-s, --show
    Show current MAC address.

-h, --help
    Display help message.

macchanger is a Linux command-line utility used to manipulate the Media Access Control (MAC) address of network interfaces. A MAC address is a unique hardware identifier assigned to each network interface card (NIC). macchanger allows you to change this address, effectively spoofing or randomizing it. This can be useful for privacy reasons (hiding your device's identity), circumventing network restrictions based on MAC address filtering, or troubleshooting network issues. The command provides several options for setting a new MAC address, including using a completely random address, setting a specific vendor's address, or using a provided address. It can also revert to the original, hardware-assigned MAC address. Understanding network configuration and potential security implications is crucial before using macchanger. Note that some network configurations may not allow MAC address spoofing. Using macchanger responsibly and within legal boundaries is important.
Remember that changing the MAC address is a temporary change that will be reset if the network interface is restarted or the system is rebooted, unless the change is made persistent through configuration files.

Changing the MAC address may disrupt network connectivity or violate network policies. It is important to use this tool responsibly and in compliance with applicable regulations. Not all network interfaces support MAC address spoofing. Kernel modules for certain network adapters may not allow changing the MAC address.

To make a MAC address change persistent across reboots, you typically need to modify network configuration files specific to your Linux distribution. For example, on Debian-based systems, you might edit `/etc/network/interfaces` and add a `hwaddress ether ` line to the configuration of the relevant network interface. Consult your distribution's documentation for the appropriate method.

If using Network Manager, MAC address spoofing can often be configured through the GUI or command-line interface (nmcli) for specific network connections. This approach offers a more integrated and user-friendly way to manage MAC address changes without directly editing configuration files.

The history of macchanger is tied to the increasing awareness of privacy and security concerns related to network identification. As networks became more sophisticated in tracking devices based on MAC addresses, tools like macchanger emerged to provide users with the ability to modify their network identity. Its development has been driven by the need to bypass MAC address filtering and protect user privacy. The command has evolved over time to include more sophisticated randomization options and vendor lookups, reflecting the ongoing arms race between tracking mechanisms and privacy-enhancing tools. Early versions likely focused on basic MAC address modification, while later iterations incorporated features to mimic legitimate vendor prefixes to avoid detection. It is now a part of most security distributions of Linux, with regular updates and maintenance to ensure its compatibility and effectiveness in a constantly evolving networking landscape.

ifconfig(8), ip(8)