Add random MAC generation after each reboot

[Privacix]

@loaNga0m

The SSID is then known

You misunderstood me. It is not to be visible by someone (like your neighbours). Not for security.

[frollic]

They see it anyway, just not the SID ?

[loaNga0m]

But the neighbor can also see this if he operates a WLAN interface in monitor mode and captures the packets.

[Privacix]

@frollic

They see it anyway, just not the SID ?

@loaNga0m

if he operates a WLAN interface in monitor mode

Yes, but it is not for security as I said. Not every neighbour do this. It is to prevent something like “Gimme password, PLS” or something like that.

If you want more security it is better use STRONG password with my scripts ubove + ban connections from unknown MAC

[frollic]

@Privacix

It is to prevent something like “Gimme password, PLS” or something like that.

They can't be sure it's your SID..?

This would never happen where I live, but I'm guessing we're not even on the same continent.

@Privacix

If you want more security it is better use STRONG password

If you want more security, don't use wifi.

[lleachii]

@lleachii

(and doing that via IPv4 without ending the lease may cause other issues with your ISP - that they'll eventually trace to you, and not like!)

• Just be sure your trick doesn't exhaust your ISP's DHCP pool
• How often does one reboot thier router to believe this provides any privacy?
• Only your ISP sees your MAC

@Timollo

Google's Android 10, for instance, made MAC randomization the default behavior for both scanning and connecting to networks

• Despite that fact, somehow the major ISPs manage to recognize devices as having previously connected when reconnecting to thier public WiFi (e.g. xfinity SSIDs) - despite using random MACs (i.e. they possibly follow some pattern)

[LilRedDog]

What MAC randomization, on a phone, is 'supposed' to do is broadcast a different MAC as you move around touching every AP your phone come in contact with but not associated to.

This tracks your movements from when performing Wi-Fi scans.

@elbertmai

It looks like we're actually talking about several different things, which is probably the source of all the confusion.

I said this is just trolling thread and it is.

[Doppel-D]

@lleachii

How often does one reboot thier router to believe this provides any privacy?

My public IP perhaps would stay the same over (several) month although I have to admit I haven't tested.

@lleachii

somehow the major ISPs manage to recognize devices as having previously connected when reconnecting to thier public WiFi

If someone using that kind of service probably with an coupled app nothing will help ;- )

@LilRedDog

I said this is just trolling thread and it is.

Yes, the thread opener timollo is probably trolling but dispite that, MAC randomization IMHO is useful on smartphones and private APs and portable routers.

[Privacix]

@frollic

If you want more security, don't use wifi.

We can harden WIFI. Everything can become better

[LilRedDog]

@Doppel-D

Yes, the thread opener timollo is probably trolling but dispite that, MAC randomization IMHO is useful on smartphones and private APs and portable routers.

This is trolling, despite most people thinking it is a mythological creature under a bridge or something that turns to stone when struck by daylight.
This is the origin of the term: casting as many hooks as possible to see what will bite.

Given the amount of different opinions and topics this thread has generated, how effective do you think the OP's trolling is?

[Doppel-D]

Should Timollo be rewarded with the Kingfisher Trolling Badge of the month?

• Yes, absolutly! With his only and totally ambiguous post he introduced himself as kingfisher
• No, because the Troll is nothing without the who bite
• No, he will surely come back, straight things out and joins a fruitful discussion

[flygarn12]

Usually most advanced users is willing to pay for static IP or hope their dhcp IP stays the same.
Otherwise vpn tunnels or server connections becomes a headache to keep alive.

Power off at night, i really don't see that possibility anymore after the introduction of IoT.

Connect incognito to the ISP…little funny because they deliver a fixed connection to your home. Who else are supposed to connect to the connection on the wall?

And hotels etc… yea, very secret after first checkin in and then log in with room number on a radius server.

[Doppel-D]

@flygarn12

Connect incognito to the ISP…little funny because they deliver a fixed connection to your home. Who else are supposed to connect to the connection on the wall?

Where do you get that from?

[flygarn12]

@Doppel-D

Where do you get that from?

From the reality, how else are you going to connect to the ISP if you don’t have a connection to connect to?

[Doppel-D]

No, you wrote

@flygarn12

Connect incognito to the ISP…little funny because they deliver a fixed connection to your home. Who else are supposed to connect to the connection on the wall?

but as far as I see no one in this thread ever wished or wrote that this could be done by MAC randomization except you ;- )

Can you please close this thread, it is getting nowhere and only the TO has archived his goal of trolling....

[flygarn12]

@Doppel-D

but as far as I see no one in this thread ever wished or wrote that this could be done by MAC randomization except you ;- )

@Timollo

Router MAC address randomization is crucial for enhancing user privacy by preventing network operators from tracking devices using their real MAC addresses as consistent identifiers

It actually the first sentence in post number 1. And post number 2 isn’t far behind.

[Doppel-D]

Sorry, my bad. Thank you for quoting it now at the end of this thread to emphasise the nonsense of it again and to remind me that I already answered myself before.

@Doppel-D

@Timollo While useful for smartphones you have to find some other reason at least for stationary routers ;- )

@krazeh

How is the router having a random MAC going to improve, privacy?

@Doppel-D

If I don't change my WAN MAC every boot I always get the same IP from my provider

This enhances my privacy but surely not against my ISP but that was never my intend

[MoqaddasAli]

@Timollo

Router MAC address randomization is crucial for enhancing user privacy by preventing network operators from tracking devices using their real MAC addresses as consistent identifiers. This practice has been adopted by many operating systems, including iOS 8+, Android 8+, and Windows 10, to mitigate tracking methods such as footfall tracking in retail stores. However, more advanced tracking techniques have emerged, necessitating the implementation of MAC randomization not just during network scanning but also during actual network connections. Google's Android 10, for instance, made MAC randomization the default behavior for both scanning and connecting to networks, marking a significant shift towards privacy protection.

You're right, MAC randomization is important for privacy. Modern OSes like Android 10+ and iOS 8+ already randomize MAC addresses to prevent tracking across networks. This helps protect user privacy in situations like retail footfall tracking.

[slh]

Not all that relevant for an OpenWrt device, which tends to be stationary - and any potential tracker already knows where they are (GPS).

[MoqaddasAli]

That's a valid point. MAC randomization on OpenWrt offers less protection since these devices are typically stationary, and their location might already be known through GPS. However, it can still be beneficial in some cases, like:

• Public Wi-Fi networks: It can add a layer of obfuscation on public Wi-Fi, making it slightly harder to track devices.
• Network segmentation: If you're using VLANs or isolating guest networks on your OpenWrt router, MAC randomization can further enhance privacy within your own network.