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Privacy concerns with DHCP (DHCP fingerprinting)
(lemmy.zip)
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this post was submitted on 04 Jul 2024
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Privacy
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I guess the hostname could be used to defeat MAC randomization if you use public WiFi like hotels, airports and coffee shops. You could probably identify repeat users if you cared enough.
But then your worry should be the security cameras not the WiFi, because that's what's gonna tie you personally to your device connecting.
Your router always knows your Mac address, no matter how you got your ip assigned. And yes, you can use it to identify the client - that is why it is there. This whole post is nonsense written by someone who doesn't really understand what dhcp is or how it works. Long story short, don't look for privacy on local Ethernet segment :D
Most modern operating systems randomize the MAC. DHCP does have extra fields such as the device's hostname that can be used to counter that.
But as I said, that's unlikely to be the weakest link. If you don't trust the network you're also likely in a public environment where people can just see you anyway.
[citation needed]
having the option to randomize the MAC is not the same as actually doing that. There are also a few downsides to random MACs, like captive portals not remembering you on public WiFis.
The default on android is to give every wifi network its own random but static mac.
Captive portals not remembering you between sessions is a huge bonus for captive portals with time limits.