• Hacking News
    • Leaks
    • WikiLeaks
    • Anonymous
  • Tech
    • Android
    • Apple News
    • BlackBerry
    • Google News
    • Microsoft
    • Motorola
    • Nokia
    • Samsung
    • 3D
  • Cyber Crime
    • Phishing Scam
  • How To
  • Cyber Events
    • Censorship
    • Cyber Attacks
  • Security
    • Malware
  • Surveillance
    • Drones
    • NSA
    • Privacy
  • Explore
    • Gaming
    • Science
    • Viral
HackRead
  • March 9th, 2021
  • Home
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
HackRead
  • Hacking News
    • Leaks
    • WikiLeaks
    • Anonymous
  • Tech
    • Android
    • Apple News
    • BlackBerry
    • Google News
    • Microsoft
    • Motorola
    • Nokia
    • Samsung
    • 3D
  • Cyber Crime
    • Phishing Scam
  • How To
  • Cyber Events
    • Censorship
    • Cyber Attacks
  • Security
    • Malware
  • Surveillance
    • Drones
    • NSA
    • Privacy
  • Explore
    • Gaming
    • Science
    • Viral
  • Follow us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
    • Youtube
Home
Technology News
Microsoft

Your Location on Windows 10 Phone is Traceable, Here’s How to Disable it

January 9th, 2016 Uzair Amir Microsoft, Privacy, Surveillance, Technology News 0 comments
Your Location on Windows 10 Phone is Traceable, Here’s How to Disable it
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Random Hardware Address Prevents Windows 10 Mobile Phone’s location from being tracked — Here’s how to do it

Tracking users’ location through their Wi-Fi network is not something new however it should be disabled. Here’s a simple image guide on disabling your location tracking on Windows 10 phone.

Microsoft has equipped its Windows 10 mobile phone with numerous new features and the security aspect has also been tweaked a little. In its previous versions, the phone offered reasonable security since at places like shopping malls, public areas and supermarkets your movement could be tracked if the device was connected to a WiFi hotspot.

This used to happen because whenever the device was disconnected from a WiFi network, it continues to try to connect to any nearby accessible wireless network.

These signal-requests may include the device’s unique hardware identifier, called MAC address.

Once the phone finds the connection, the MAC address logs into the wireless network and this information can be used by third parties for tracking your movements whenever you enter the area.

Since large venues have multiple wireless routers, the chances of tracking your location become brighter.

Windows 10, however, offer enhanced privacy on Lumia 950 and Lumia 95- XL through the Random Hardware Access feature.

It randomly generates hardware addresses to make it difficult for third parties to track your mobile phone’s location if it gets connected to a nearby wireless network.

However, this feature is not activated by default on these phones. Therefore, we are providing you the necessary guidelines to enable Random Hardware Addresses to feature in your Win 10 mobile phone.

[fullsquaread][/fullsquaread]

Activate Random hardware addresses for all Wi-Fi networks

Open the Start screen and bring All Apps by swiping left.

settings-wireless-windows-10-mobile

Now locate and open the Settings app and select Network and Wireless and then Wi-Fi.

wifi--manage-windows-10-mobile

Now find the Manage button by scrolling down.

2

Once there, ensure to toggle the Use random hardware addresses option to On position and the feature will be enabled.

wifi-random-mac-windows-10-mobile-

Activate Random Hardware addresses on specific WiFi networks.

You may also opt to use this feature on specific networks.

Find the Network & Wireless option in the Settings app.

Select Wi-Fi option.

wifi--manage-windows-10-mobile

Select the network that you need to prevent from location tracking and by scrolling down select any one of the following options:

On

Off

Change Daily

wifi-mac-random-windows-10-mobile

After selecting the option, return to Wi-Fi and by holding the wireless network you are currently connected to and tap on Delete option.

connected-wifi-windows-10-mobile-3

Reconnect your device to the same wireless network so that the new settings could be enabled.

Just tap the name of your deleted network from the Available Wi-Fi Networks list that pops up in the Wi-Fi settings category, and enter the password to complete the connection process.

Another feature of random MAC addresses is that it also hides your device name as it tries to connect to a wi-fi network using random hardware address as the name.

Remember that this feature is not particularly important to be enabled at home or office because at some areas device tracking is important to keep the network secure and in compliance with the policies of the company you work for.

  • Tags
  • Microsoft
  • Privacy
  • security
  • Smartphones
  • Surveillance
  • Technology
  • Tracking
  • Windows 10
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest
Previous article Anonymous Targets Nigerian Government Sites, Wages War Against Corruption
Next article Researchers Create Device That Produces Electricity When You Walk
Uzair Amir

Uzair Amir

I am an Electronic Engineer, an Android Game Developer and a Tech writer. I am into music, snooker and my life motto is 'Do my best, so that I can't blame myself for anything.'

Related Posts
Marketing firm CallX exposed customers data including call recordings

Marketing firm CallX exposed customers data including call recordings

Flaw allowed bypassing verification code, log in to any Microsoft account

Flaw allowed bypassing verification code, log in to any Microsoft account

Microsoft release open-source CodeQL queries to hunt SolarWinds hacks

Microsoft release open-source CodeQL queries to hunt SolarWinds hacks

Newsletter

Get the best stories straight into your inbox!



Don’t worry, we don’t spam

Latest Posts
European Banking Authority victim in Microsoft Exchange Server hack
Hacking News

European Banking Authority victim in Microsoft Exchange Server hack

FluBot Android malware mimics FedEx, Chrome apps to steal user data
Android

FluBot Android malware mimics FedEx, Chrome apps to steal user data

John McAfee Charged with Fraud in Cryptocurrency Scam
Cyber Crime

John McAfee Charged with Fraud in Cryptocurrency Scam

HACKREAD is a News Platform that centers on InfoSec, Cyber Crime, Privacy, Surveillance and Hacking News with full-scale reviews on Social Media Platforms & Technology trends. Founded in 2011, HackRead is based in the United Kingdom.

Follow us