Google Street Car outrage

[UncappedTag]

Can anyone explain why the Streetcars were equiped with Wifi sniffers in the first instance. They obviously were upto something all along

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/10227854.stm

[Jim the Sunderer]

It was probably just for market research, probably.

Edited by Jim the Sunderer on Friday 4th June 09:52

[hornetrider]

Jim the Sunderer said:

It was probably just for market research, probably.

Edited by Jim the Sunderer on Friday 4th June 09:52

Uh huh. Nothing is done without a reason. Someone made that decision - the question is - why?

[JB!]

surely this is only an issue if you wifi isnt password-protected?

[Bibbs]

Because you can program a GPS like solution, without using a satelite.

Know that you can see WiFi "ABC123"? You look up the co-ords for that WiFi on Googles database and you know roughly where you are.

This covers two areas.
1 - SatNav on a device without a GPS chip - but not too accurate.
2 - SatNav knowing where you are roughly, before it can get a lock on with a satelite (that few minute delay on startup, or the drop of signal when in a tunnel/built up area).

Don't want Google to know your WiFi name? Don't broadcast it out to the street.

It's like complaining that people know what TV you are watching, when you mount a 200" TV on the front of your house.

Edited by Bibbs on Friday 4th June 10:00

[SystemParanoia]

the professionally "offended"

finding reason to be offended at everything possible even when nobodys actually offended.


if you dont want someone sniffing your wifi you have a number of options


1. tune your signal level so it doesn't propagate beyond the boundaries of your property
2. build a Faraday cage around your property
3. dont power up your wifi

simple choices

Edited by SystemParanoia on Friday 4th June 10:36

[JB!]

anyone with an iphone can "sniff" your wifi connexion surely?

[Bibbs]

JB! said:

anyone with an iphone can "sniff" your wifi connexion surely?

I have a program on my phone that does this.

I compile the data and then send it to a company, when I have a certain amount found, they paypal me a few quid. I've made about £100 over 2 years doing this.

[DeadMeat_UK]

I do hate it when I'm out with my camera taking pictures and I accidentally gather peoples Wi-Fi data.

[DonkeyApple]

DeadMeat_UK said:

I do hate it when I'm out with my camera taking pictures and I accidentally gather peoples Wi-Fi data.

But you could VOIP the woman you are taking pictures of while up in your tree.

[loltolhurst]

cool thanks for the link have downloaded kismet...you will find most IT people do things because they can and dont have any motives from the outset. if you dont like it then go live in a hut or secure your st.

[SystemParanoia]

loltolhurst said:

cool thanks for the link have downloaded kismet...you will find most IT people do things because they can and dont have any motives from the outset. if you dont like it then go live in a hut or secure your st.

and when you secure it... don't use WEP lol

[Don]

SystemParanoia said:

and when you secure it... don't use WEP lol

WEP. Eminently crackable. But it does discourage casual users.

[anonymous-user]

SystemParanoia said:

3. dont your wifi

simple choices

It doesn't look that simple to me really.

[Busa_Rush]

Just highlights another technology which the average joe implements without understanding how to do it. If you want it done properly so you can't be snooped on (or at least make it difficult for the average person) then get somebody who know what they are doing. All the access points they discovered and could see traffic on were unencrypted - poorly implemented.

[Jinx]

Don said:

SystemParanoia said:

and when you secure it... don't use WEP lol

WEP. Eminently crackable. But it does discourage casual users.

Problem is a lot of older wireless equipment doesn't support WPA or anything stronger than WEP. I would suggest if you are forced to use WEP then use the MAC filtering function on your router. It's not impossible to spoof a MAC but it adds a little extra level of security.

[SystemParanoia]

el stovey said:

SystemParanoia said:

3. dont your wifi

simple choices

It doesn't look that simple to me really.

oops lol. what can you say, some people like a challenge

[Puggit]

Am I the only one who was hoping to see a baying mob ripping the cameras from the roof?

[Don]

Busa_Rush said:

Just highlights another technology which the average joe implements without understanding how to do it. If you want it done properly so you can't be snooped on (or at least make it difficult for the average person) then get somebody who know what they are doing. All the access points they discovered and could see traffic on were unencrypted - poorly implemented.

Or people don't care.

I left my WiFi router fully open for years as it was convenient for visitors.

Now I have a Home Hub I've ended up securing it - but I joined BT FON.

[Targarama]

Don said:

Busa_Rush said:

Just highlights another technology which the average joe implements without understanding how to do it. If you want it done properly so you can't be snooped on (or at least make it difficult for the average person) then get somebody who know what they are doing. All the access points they discovered and could see traffic on were unencrypted - poorly implemented.

Or people don't care.

I left my WiFi router fully open for years as it was convenient for visitors.

Now I have a Home Hub I've ended up securing it - but I joined BT FON.

IIRC from pics of your pad in the snow you live in a nice quiet spot with no passing traffic. Would you have done the same if you lived in a flat next to Reading station?