Garion
Platinum Member
- Apr 23, 2001
- 2,331
- 7
- 81
OK, time out..
First of all a MAC address is NOT visible to the Internet - The only thing that knows your MAC address is your router, and the only thing that knows the MAC address of your router is the next device across the cable/DSL line at your ISP. Changing your MAC address isn't going to change anything. Buying a new NIC is *especially* dumb, as that MAC is only seen by the INSIDE of your router - Nobody on the Internet ever, ever sees that MAC address.
All a hacker on the Internet can see is your IP address. That's it. Don't sweat the MAC addresses anywhere.
The *only* reason to change your MAC address is that might force your ISP's DHCP server to issue you a new IP address. And the only MAC they are concerned about is the one on your router.
If you really want to switch your IP, try going into your router's config and seeing if there's a way to release your IP. IF you can, DO so and immediately turn the thing off. Leave it off for a while (like 8+ hours) and then bring it back on-line. That should force your router to renew it's IP. It might get a new one, it might not, just depends on how your ISP has setup their DHCP servers. If all else fails and you've got a valid case, call up your ISP and see if they can force you to pick a new IP.
I think the best advice is to just chill out. Make sure you've got firewalls fully enabled on your local PC's and that your router isn't forwarding any ports to the inside and there's no way to get to you.
If, on the other hand, you're trying to avoid something like the RIAA, bad news: Your ISP probably logs all DHCP IP assignments and will gladly give them to the RIAA. They know what IP's you've had and when you have had them. By desparately trying to change things you're just incriminating yourself even more.
- G
First of all a MAC address is NOT visible to the Internet - The only thing that knows your MAC address is your router, and the only thing that knows the MAC address of your router is the next device across the cable/DSL line at your ISP. Changing your MAC address isn't going to change anything. Buying a new NIC is *especially* dumb, as that MAC is only seen by the INSIDE of your router - Nobody on the Internet ever, ever sees that MAC address.
All a hacker on the Internet can see is your IP address. That's it. Don't sweat the MAC addresses anywhere.
The *only* reason to change your MAC address is that might force your ISP's DHCP server to issue you a new IP address. And the only MAC they are concerned about is the one on your router.
If you really want to switch your IP, try going into your router's config and seeing if there's a way to release your IP. IF you can, DO so and immediately turn the thing off. Leave it off for a while (like 8+ hours) and then bring it back on-line. That should force your router to renew it's IP. It might get a new one, it might not, just depends on how your ISP has setup their DHCP servers. If all else fails and you've got a valid case, call up your ISP and see if they can force you to pick a new IP.
I think the best advice is to just chill out. Make sure you've got firewalls fully enabled on your local PC's and that your router isn't forwarding any ports to the inside and there's no way to get to you.
If, on the other hand, you're trying to avoid something like the RIAA, bad news: Your ISP probably logs all DHCP IP assignments and will gladly give them to the RIAA. They know what IP's you've had and when you have had them. By desparately trying to change things you're just incriminating yourself even more.
- G
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