Wireless LAN User Devices Are Detecting as Wrong Platform

Symptom

Apple Mobile, MAC Book, Android Phone, Windows PC and other wireless endpoint devices are detected on other platforms

Cause

Conditions:

  1. A device using a wireless LAN

  2. When using wireless LAN, use a RANDOM MAC address rather than the MAC address of the device

  3. If the OUI of the RANDOM MAC address is from another manufacturer

If platform detection is performed by connecting to the network under the above conditions, false positives may occur on other platforms that are not expected.

Resolution

  • Disables the RANDOM MAC function to connect the network with the MAC on the device.

Method 1: Disable RANDOM MAC function on Apple Mobile device (iOS & iPadOS)

  1. Open Settings App.

  2. Go to Wi-Fi.

  3. Select the (i) icon next to the currently connected network.

  4. Disable the Private Wi-Fi Address option OFF.

  5. Reconnect because the network disconnects and reconnects.

Method 2: Disable RANDOM MAC function on Android mobile device

  1. Settings Open the app.

  2. Go to Network and Internet (Wi-Fi).

  3. Select Wi-Fi, and then press and hold the Network currently connected or click (Settings icon).

  4. Looks for the Advanced**Ehms**Personal MAC Enable option.

  5. Select MAC Address Type or Random MAC.

  6. Change to Device MAC (Device MAC) option.

Attention

For some manufacturers (Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, etc.), menus may be available in the form of Security and Privacy > Wi-Fi MAC Address

Method 3: Disable RANDOM MAC Features on Windows PCs

  1. [Win + i] Press the key to open Settings.

  2. Go to Network & Internet.

  3. Select Wi-Fi and click Mange known networks.

  4. Select your Wi-Fi network and click Properties.

  5. Random hardware addresses Set the option to OFF.

  6. Reconnect your Wi-Fi to apply the changes.

Note

Local Group Policy Editor (Windows Pro & Enterprise)

  1. Run gpedit.msc

  2. Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Network → WLAN Services → WLAN Settings

  3. Sets random hardware address acceptance option to Disabled

Registry Editor with Windows Home

  1. Run regedit

  2. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlClass{4d36e972-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}

  3. Change key values related to random MAC functions (Different manufacturers)

Method 4: Disabling RANDOM MAC Function in macOS

  1. Go to Apple Menu > System Settings.

  2. Choose Network > Wi-Fi.

  3. Click the (⋯) button next to the network you are currently connected to.

  4. Disables the use of private MAC addresses option for Wi-Fi networks.

  5. Reconnect your Wi-Fi to apply the changes.

Attention

Additional Notes

Random MAC features are set individually for each SSID, so you must turn them off on all wireless networks in use.

In some enterprise environments, mobile device management (MDM) solutions can also be used to force off the feature.

In Windows and macOS environments, you can disable random MAC features through registry and group policy settings.