14 DAY TRIAL // Softpedia takes no responsibility for the consequences resulting from using this application. We do not encourage piracy and the responsibility of using the following application for good or evil accomplishments falls directly in the hands of the user. The review is intended for those users that have changed the network adapter and want to avoid the hassle of communicating the new MAC to the ISP, or to other non harmful, fraud free activities.
Every user should know that any computer connected to a network, no matter how big, has an IP address. This way, it can communicate with other computers. IPs can be local/private or public/global. The first categories are assigned for computers in a LAN, while the second belongs to computers or devices that connect directly to the Internet (gateway, routers, servers etc.). The IP and MAC addresses (that uniquely identifiy each node of a network) are ways of enabling the communication between computers/servers or peripherals and computers.
Generally, changing the public IP of your computer and the MAC of your network adapters without reporting it to the ISP is prohibited. However, there are cases when a user needs to perform a MAC address change. The reasons vary from changing the network adapter and avoiding the hassle of providing the new MAC address to the ISP to untrusting web sites that require MAC authorization.
Gentle MAC Pro is a small application willing to quickly perform these changes on your computer. Although I was expecting the software to be free, its price tag said otherwise and displayed the $19.85 bill. However, the program can be fully tested as there are no limitations except for the 15 days of trial and the nag screen asking you to make your decision and buy the application.
The interface is nice and simple and the steps to be taken in order to change the identity of your computer and become invisible are easy. The main application window displays the local area connections available on your computer. If you have more than one type, by selecting it, you will be provided with the general details characterizing it: network adapter card type, original MAC address, current MAC address and current IP.
By changing the settings you will be able to modify both your IP (in case it is not dynamically DHCP released) and your MAC. However, there is a solution for changing your IP, despite the fact that it is addressed dynamically, namely by using a proxy.
In the lower part of the "Change settings" window there is a list of network card vendors and the making corresponding for each adapter. The list is pretty comprehensive (I stopped counting at 50) and includes the vendor of your network adapter as well. You can change your MAC with any of these or simply type in the values you want. A very handy option that automatically generates the address with a single click is also available (Generate button).
In order to reverse the process, all you have to do is press the button between Generate and the MAC and select the address provided there. That is the original MAC of your network adapter. Another way to reverse the operation is to simply close the application. All the values will return to the original parameters. Of course, another way to return to the original MAC address is to use the "Restore settings" button in the main screen.
The third button in the main application window is IPConfig. Pressing it will bring forth the window containing the same values returned by typing "ipconfig" command in Command Prompt. DNS suffix, MAC address, DHCP status, auto-configuration status, IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, DNS server address etc., they can all be saved in a TXT file on your computer, just in case.
The Good
Gentle MAC Pro moves incredibly fast and does a great job. Everything it promises and advertises is delivered, no exceptions made.
Easy configurable, the software allows the user a change of both the MAC address and the IP in just a few clicks.
No reboot required.
The Bad
The price is pretty steep. There are applications that perform these changes for free.
The Truth
Gentle MAC Pro is indeed operating the modifications gingerly. No hassle and no torment during the task. No more tutorials on how to operate these changes. A few clicks and you are done.
Piece of advice: Use it wisely.
Softpedia takes no responsibility on the consequences resulting from using this application. We do not encourage piracy and the responsibility of using the following application for good or evil accomplishments falls directly in the hands of the user. The review is intended for those users that have changed the network adapter and want to avoid the hassle of communicating the new MAC to the ISP, or to other non harmful, fraud free activities.
Here are some snapshots of the application in action:
