What is a method used to bypass MAC filtering in wireless networks?

MAC spoofing is a technique used to modify the default Media Access Control (MAC) address of a device to impersonate another device within a network. In the context of wireless networks that employ MAC filtering as a security measure, this method is particularly effective. When a network uses MAC filtering, it allows only devices with specified MAC addresses to connect. By spoofing their MAC address to match that of an allowed device, an unauthorized user can gain access to the network and bypass the security measure.

This method exploits the fact that MAC filtering relies solely on the visible MAC address for access control, which can be easily manipulated using software tools available to users. This makes it a straightforward yet effective means to circumvent restrictions imposed by MAC filtering.

The other methods mentioned, while relevant to network security, do not specifically target the bypassing of MAC filtering. Packet sniffing involves capturing data packets on a network, but it does not change any device's identity. Port scanning is used to discover services running on devices within a network and can help identify vulnerabilities but doesn’t directly interact with MAC addresses. IP spoofing involves creating IP packets with a false source address to disguise the sender's identity, which, while also a form of gaining unauthorized access, does not affect MAC-level