Mac Address Spoofing Removed?

[User777]

I do network security. I just got a Dell 5690. Nice dual GPU workstation class laptop that I can use in the field. Problem is, I can't change the MAC address. For my work, that's kind of a problem. TMAC v6 doesn't work and there are options removed in the adapters Advanced settings. Why would this functionality be removed or restricted quietly? 

How can one get around this w/out having to recode something? I want to be able to change my MAC address at will. How can that be done, now that Intel seems to have locked everyone that buys their product or a device with their product in it out of the controls of it. I spend $2300 on a laptop only to find one of the more subtle but important things I need to do, I can't do because Intel didn't advertise or announce this. Tell people you're doing this and a lot less people will want products with Intel hardware, so it stays quiet, no announcements? And someone got paid for that, probably well. Seems like we're 1/2 way to idiocracy with decisions like that being made and implemented without disclosure of some key functionality being removed.

[Tharun_Intel]

Hello User777,

Thank you for reaching out to us through the Intel Community Forum — we truly appreciate you taking the time to post your query, and we're here to help!

To ensure we fully understand your concern and provide you with the most accurate assistance, could you please help us with the following information?

Purpose of MAC Address Change – Could you help us understand why you'd like to change the MAC address? This will allow us to better assess your situation and guide you appropriately.

Wireless Network Adapter Details – Please share the name and model of the wireless network adapter you are currently using.

SSU (System Support Utility) Log – Kindly run the SSU tool and share the generated log file with us. You can find step-by-step instructions on how to do so here: How to Use the Intel SSU Tool

Additional Details About the Issue – Please feel free to share any additional context or details about the issue you're experiencing. The more information you provide, the better we can assist you.

Once we receive the above details, we'll be happy to look into this further and work toward a resolution as quickly as possible.

Thank you again for your patience — we look forward to hearing from you!

Tharun

Intel Customer Technician.

[User777]

"Could you help us understand why you'd like to change the MAC address?" 

I said in very general terms "I do network security."  It shouldn't matter to you at all, why I need or want to. Why would you ask me to publicly explain myself like that? It's my hardware, I own it, so I can do whatever I want and it be none of the manufactures business. It blows my mind that you would even think to ask that question And don't go labeling me as rude for telling you it's none of your business to even ask.

I do ethical hacking, penetration testing, systems auditing of all types. There's reasons for needing to change my MAC are numerous. For wireless testing, for avoiding fingerprinting and tracking during network assessments and a boatload of reasons I'm not going to elaborate on here, to educate you to the job and role of a Network Security Engineer. It's necessary for me to change my MAC because I'm telling you it's necessary. That should be the end of it.

This is functionality that was quietly removed and clearly not advertised or announced. I've been able to change the MAC address on the last 3 laptops I've had (all Intel Wireless). All the sudden Intel does something that binds the network card in layers of drivers, OS and firmware, which is likely the issue. Intel has complicated the heck out of something that was never complicated in that way. I've never had a network interface that I wasn't able to change the MAC address on (been in Tech for 30 years) I've tried TMAC v6 didn't work, I tried writing it into the registry, didn't work, it always reverts back to the original MAC address. Something, somewhere has it locked up and unchangable. If I'd have known Intel would quietly do something like this, I'd have never bought a laptop with an Intel NIC. You're (Intel) doing things that work against the Engineer in the field that works with their laptop.

The adapter is the Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 320MHz

[AlHill]

@User777   Changing the mac address is very popular amongst some (mostly gamers) who use pirated copies of games.  And among some users to use pirated copies of software running under virtual machines.   

You are not one of those types of users, which are thieves, are you?  That, in plain words, is why you are being asked.

Doc (not an Intel employee or contractor)
[CoPilot is a virus, W11 is a keystroke logger, all from MicroSlop]

[User777]

I'm a 54 year old Tech professional that's been at this Tech stuff for about 30 years. I helped build the internet...pieces of it anyway and have been doing network security since the mid 2000's. I'm not a gamer. I stopped playing games when I was about 22, during the days of Nintendo. I've got far more important things to do with my life than play games well into adulthood.

I need to figure out how to rip out of this laptop the controls Intel seems to have added to the firmware layer (my speculation). Ya gotta wonder why they'd do that on the down low and not tell anybody. They're a corporation that doesn't care about people or customers...they impose their will from some corporate pulpit. They'll never tell us why they did it. No one will ever be held accountable. That's the corporate way and clearly the way of the world.

[AlHill]

Only 54?  You are a young man!  I have 20 years on you.  Been working on/with computers since 1972.

Back over the last couple of years, the issue (as I have seen it on the forum) is that somtimes 5 or so guys per day were asking for the tool to modify the mac address.  Intel ignored the issue and handed out the tool(s) like candy.  It was out of control.  Then, Intel  stopped.  I guess enough developers complained.

I had a buddy that owned an auto shop.  He never purchased an new/licensed software.  He loved auto diagnostic tools, which were always bootleg, hacked, or ran in VMs.  The most popular VM for doing this was that awful Virtual Box.  MOdifying the mac address would make the diagnostic tool work, mostly.  And, you did not even need a tool to modify the mac address.  These auto diagnostic tools cost, sometimes, upwards of $50K.  As a former developer, it really irked me.  And, the owner of the shop had the nerve to complain if the tool did not work correctly or had problems running on a W7 VM on Virtual Box, on a free copy of W8 or W10 that I discarded after I no longer needed it.

I am sure you will work it out with Intel.  But, personallly, I am glad to see these users stopped, or at least slowed down.

Doc (not an Intel employee or contractor)
[CoPilot is a virus, W11 is a keystroke logger, all from MicroSlop]