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WiFi Triangulation

Posted by michael on from the two-edged-sword dept.

mikegroovy writes "WiFi software tracks you down: 'Positioning technology company Ekahau has released an updated version of its software, which allows devices to be physically tracked when they are connected to an 802.11 WLAN network.' Maybe connections that are made from the street(or outside of a predefined area) could be automatically disconnected... It may spell an end to warchalking."

5 of 229 comments (clear)

  1. heh by wolfgang_spangler · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Ekahau reckons there is a market for networks used primarily for location-based purposes as opposed to carrying other data. "

    Can't remember the last time I saw the word, "reckons" in a major publication. I reckon it was some time ago.

  2. oh, the irony... by jaredcoleman · · Score: 5, Funny

    There are a lot of benefits to having this ability. At work, I can now equip our parking officers with wireless PDA's and soon I will be able to make sure that they are not sleeping in the lobby of some building instead of writing parking tickets. Maybe they will actually be out to ticket people parked illegally while attempting to warchalk from their vehicle! Now that's irony!

  3. Bah! by NeoPotato · · Score: 5, Funny

    I used to find people by pinging their computers! I'd ping a friend's laptop (using their Windows computer name), look at their IP, then go find them on campus. I think I scared a few people when I'd say "Stay right where you are" and walk over to the study room where they were hiding.

    Although I guess using triangulation accurate to a meter would let me say "You're on my spot on on the couch. When I get back from class, you gotta move."

  4. Uh oh by dr_dank · · Score: 5, Funny

    I found a new open network near my girlfriends apartment,opened up my browser to /. and saw this as the lead story.

    Perhaps I'd better log off now....

    --
    Where does the school board find them and why do they keep sending them to ME?
    1. Re:Uh oh by Dr.Luke · · Score: 5, Funny

      Mod up! This slashdotter has a girlfriend. That's much bigger news than WiFi triangulation!