Overview
Just like every house has a unique address, every device connected on a network has its own unique address, called a MAC address. This term is short for media access control address, and it is a 12-digit hexadecimal number. The MAC address is tied to the Network Interface Controller (NIC), which is a network adapter that allows your device to connect to a network. A NIC and a MAC address work together to ensure a steady connection to the internet using an Ethernet cable or by connecting to a WiFi signal.
MAC addresses can usually be found in the system or network settings of your device, and sometimes they are printed on the device itself. The address is typically a string of six sets of two digits or characters, separated by colons, displayed in the format of 1a:2b:3c:4d:5e:6f.
Every device displays its MAC address differently. For help on finding your device's MAC address, go to Google and type "how to locate the MAC address of my [device]." You can use terms for the device such as "Dell laptop," "Mac laptop," "iPhone," "Roku," etc.
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