Python Tool for Detecting Boss Presence via LAN MAC‑Address Scanning

Idea

Each device on a network has a fixed MAC address; by scanning the LAN for the boss's phone MAC address we can infer his proximity. When the MAC appears, the boss is nearby and the user should stop "slacking"; when it disappears, it is safe to resume non‑work activities.

Implementation

Get boss phone MAC address

The boss's MAC is obtained by capturing the ARP table before the boss arrives, then again after he leaves, and comparing the two lists. Repeating the process several times improves accuracy.

Get all MAC addresses

Step 1: Use the ipconfig /all command to determine the current network segment.

Step 2: Ping every IP in the segment to populate the ARP table, e.g.:

for /L %i IN (1,1,254) DO ping -w 1 -n 1 192.168.1.%i

Step 3: Run arp -a to list all MAC addresses on the network.

Code implementation

The following Python functions implement the above steps.

<code>def get_macs():
    # Run cmd and execute "arp -a", capture output
    res = os.popen("arp -a")
    arps = res.read()
    print(arps)

    # Split output by newline
    result = arps.split('\n')

    ips = []
    macs = []

    for i in range(1, len(result)):
        line = result[i]
        if ('Internet' in line) | ('' == line) | ('接口' in line):
            continue
        line_split = line.split(" ")
        index = 0
        for l in line_split:
            if l != '':
                index += 1
                if index == 1:
                    ips.append(l)
                elif index == 2:
                    macs.append(l)
    return ips, macs
</code>

Then a polling loop checks for the boss's MAC address:

<code># Boss's MAC address
bossMac = "01-00-5e-0b-14-01"
sleep_time = 5
while 1 == 1:
    time.sleep(sleep_time)
    ips, macs = get_macs()
    is_come = 0
    for mac in macs:
        if mac == bossMac:
            is_come = 2
            # Boss is present – scan every 5 minutes
            sleep_time = 300
            choice = g.msgbox(msg="有内鬼，终止交易！", title="OMG")
            break
    if is_come == 0:
        # Boss left – scan every 5 seconds
        sleep_time = 5
        g.msgbox(msg="一切正常！", title="OMG")
</code>

The script shows a warning dialog when the boss is detected and a normal‑status dialog when he leaves.

Summary

The method relies on the boss's phone being connected to the same Wi‑Fi; if Wi‑Fi is off or the phone does not switch to the local AP, the tool will not work, so users should still stay aware of their surroundings.

Finally, remember that occasional "slacking" can be refreshing, but excessive "slacking" can be harmful.