What is MAC spoofing in cybersecurity, and how does it allow attackers to bypass network access controls? Learn how attackers change their device’s MAC address to gain unauthorized access—essential for CompTIA Security+ (Plus) SY0-701 exam success.
Table of Contents
Question
An attacker spoofs their network adapter’s MAC address to bypass access controls. What is this attack?
A. ARP poisoning
B. VLAN hopping
C. Man-in-the-middle
D. MAC spoofing
E. DNS hijacking
Answer
D. MAC spoofing
Explanation
Changing the MAC address allows bypassing network restrictions.
The attack where an attacker spoofs their network adapter’s MAC address to bypass access controls is known as MAC spoofing.
MAC spoofing is the act of changing a device’s Media Access Control (MAC) address to impersonate another device on the network.
Attackers use MAC spoofing to evade security measures that rely on MAC addresses for authentication, such as MAC filtering or access controls.
By altering their MAC address to match that of an authorized device, attackers can gain unauthorized access to network resources, intercept data, disrupt communications, or further escalate privileges within the network.
This technique is commonly used in both wired and wireless networks to bypass restrictions, evade tracking, or launch additional attacks such as session hijacking and man-in-the-middle attacks.
MAC spoofing is typically done using software tools that make changing the MAC address quick and easy, often requiring only a few commands or clicks.
Real-world examples include attackers gaining access to restricted Wi-Fi networks, impersonating legitimate users, or facilitating more complex attacks like the Bangladesh Bank heist, where MAC spoofing enabled unauthorized access to critical systems.
MAC spoofing allows attackers to change their device’s MAC address, bypassing network access controls and gaining unauthorized entry by impersonating trusted devices.
CompTIA Security+ (Plus) SY0-701 certification exam practice question and answer (Q&A) dump with detail explanation and reference available free, helpful to pass the CompTIA Security+ (Plus) SY0-701 exam and earn CompTIA Security+ (Plus) SY0-701 certification.