In Windows 10, there is a new feature available for certain Wi-Fi adapters if they support this feature. Every time you connect to a Wi-Fi network, Windows 10 can randomize your adapter's MAC address! This ability is interesting for those who want to avoid location tracking based on the device's MAC (physical) address. Here is how you can enable it.
Mac OS X detection agent for Who's On My WiFi Analytics. Detects all devices on a network. Connects to optional Analytics service for further analysis. Open Spotlight search from the top-right corner of the menu bar or press Command-Space to open.
First of all, to enable random MAC address in Windows 10 for WiFi adapters, you need to have the appropriate support from your wireless hardware radio as well as the right drivers installed. From four of my Wi-Fi adapters, only one supports this feature. While recent devices come with the required features onboard, all old Wi-Fi adapters lack the MAC randomization feature.
To enable MAC randomization in Windows 10, you need to do the following.
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to Network & Internet -> WiFi.
- Under the WiFi adapter for which you wish to enable this, click the Advanced options link:
- Turn on the option called 'Random Hardware Addresses' and you are done:Set it to 'on' or 'change daily':
If your wireless hardware does not support this feature, the 'Random Hardware Addresses' section will not show up at all in the Settings app.
As you might be knowing, every network card has a unique hardware address known as the MAC address. Using the MAC value, it is possible to identify the device explicitly. This information can be used to assign your device a static and/or exclusive IP address. ISPs often use MAC addresses to authenticate client devices. Also, a MAC address can be used to track your device as it connects to various Wifi access points. With MAC address randomization enabled, you can prevent this. You might want to enable it while you are connecting to some public WiFi network, like in a cafe.
If your home broadband Internet Service Provider (ISP) relies on your network adapter's MAC address for the internet connection, enabling it for your home broadband may cause it to not establish the connection so keep this off for the home connection.
That's it.
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I recently started experiencing this problem. My Mac suddenly stopped seeing my Wi-Fi network, even though my other devices were able to connect to the same Wi-Fi network. In other words, my Wi-Fi network was not showing up in my list of available networks on my Mac. However, I was seeing other nearby Wi-Fi networks such as my neighbors’ wireless networks.
Wireless network names are broadcast so that you can know which one to join.
You can see nearby wireless networks by clicking the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar on your Mac. The Wi-Fi network names (also called SSIDs) will appear when looking for a Wi-Fi network to join unless it is a hidden network. This article explains how you can fix it if you cannot see your network listed. This is an important problem. This will prevent you from connecting to the Internet over Wi-Fi if your Mac cannot find your Wi-Fi network.
Before you do anything, please ensure that your router is turned on and you are not too far from your Wi-Fi router so that your Mac can get strong signals from it.
Please try the steps below. After trying each step below, try to connect again to see if you’ve fixed your issue.
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1. Restart your Mac and router
Simply restart your Mac and Wi-Fi router. This may help you fix your problem:
- Mac: You can restart your Mac by choosing Restart from the Apple menu.
- Router: unplug the power, wait 10 seconds, and then replug. Wait at least two minutes to allow the router to fully turn on.
You may also want to reset your router to its factory default settings. Doing so will wipe out all of your settings. You can start over with fresh settings. Most routers include a reset button (on the back or bottom). You will need to insert a paperclip (or something similar) to push this button. Insert your paperclip and hold down for 30 seconds. Then wait for your router to turn on.
2. Wireless Diagnostics
Your Mac offers a feature called Wireless Diagnostics. Use this to troubleshoot your problem. This tool will analyze your Wi-Fi network. Here is how:
- On your keyboard, press and hold the Option (alt) key.
- While pressing the Option key, click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar.
- A menu will be opened (that usually displays the nearby Wi-Fi networks).
- Click Open Wireless Diagnostics. If asked, enter your passcode.
- Click Continue. And then follow the onscreen instructions. For me, running this was enough to fix this problem.
3. Change your Wi-Fi name
Some users have said that changing the Wi-Fi name (also known as SSID, or Service Set Identifier) fixed this problem.
- Log in to the router’s administrative console. You can do this via a web browser. Routers have a local IP address to access the admin panel. for example:
- AT&T routers use 192.168.1.254.
- Linksys routers use 192.168.1.1.
- Netgear routers use http://www.routerlogin.net.
- Some routers use 192.168.0.1.
- BlueCurve Gateway uses 10.0.0.1.
- Simply type these IP addresses or the URL into your browser’s address bar and hit enter. This will open a login window. You may have to check the documentation or website of other router manufacturers to find out the local address and login details. These details are usually printed on a sticker on your modem.
- Click Wireless and change the Wi-Fi Name (SSID) name.
4. Forget your Wi-Fi network
This involves deleting your wireless profile in macOS. When you follow the steps below, your Mac will forget the Wi-Fi network and its password. Here is how you can do this on your Mac:
- Open System Preferences on your Mac.
- Click Network.
- From the left menu, click Wi-Fi and click the Advanced button.
- You will see a Preferred Networks list.
- Select the Wi-Fi network that you are unable to join.
- Then click the (-) remove button.
- A popup will appear, click again Remove.
- Then click OK and Apply.
5. Reset PRAM or NVRAM
Resetting PRAM or NVRAM may fix this problem. PRAM or NVRAM are different things, but they are reset in the same way. Here is how:
- Turn off your Mac.
- Locate these four keys and do not press them yet: Option, Command, P, and R.
- Turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold these keys.
- Keep holding them for 20 seconds. Then release them. This will reset PRAM or NVRAM. This will reset some of your settings such as display, volume, time zone, etc. Open System Preferences and adjust your settings.
Who Is On My Wifi For Mac
If resetting PRAM or NVRAM does not help, you may want to reset the SMC.
My Wifi Mac Address
See also: How To View Saved Wi-Fi Passwords On Your Mac