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Secure Wireless Through Infrared Antennas
oogamrm writes "Everyone knows the main problem with Wi-Fi: Security. It's relatively easy for intruders to sniff packets out of the air and even connect to the wireless net. While most wireless companies have responded by trying to beef up the encryption, the University of Warwick's engineering department has developed an optical antenna that operates in the infrared band. This means almost no energy leaking through walls, and simple filters to block it from exiting through windows. The antennas can be so well tuned that several networks can be co-located in the same physical space. The whole story is available at news.com.com."
-SheWhoWalksWithToesLikeCobras Please enter any 11-digit prime number to continue...
I already have to deal with my little brother standing directly in front of the IR receiver on the TV for the remote control. He's gonna have a field-day screwing with my quake ping rates!
Play the Stock Market Drinking Game
tcd004
Since I installed my new infrared network, my damn TV keeps changing channels to 65,535
using System.Awesome;
This is SECURITY VIA OBSCURITY. Its worst than Microsoft's proposed ;HttpOnly cookie value. Not only does infrared have a miniscule amplitude comparable to that of dark mango light, it shares properties of microwaves in that it does not penetrate lead steel. This is in stark contrast to the ceramic flossings offered by MIT Inc.'s 802.11b/ALL wirefree standard. Wireless is well-known for eliminating some of the wires, hence the term "wires: less", and these microscopic wires can picked up by sophisticated nuclear wireless detection subsystems such as NetStumbler. Infrared is no exception to this rule. SECURITY VIA OBSCURITY DOES NOT WORK.
"The lesson to be learned is not to take the comments on slashdot too literally." --Vinnie Falco, BearShare
Meanwhile, I've created a totally new form of network media that's MUCH faster and more secure than ANY WiFi to date. I call it the "Electron Antenna". It only transmits through copper. Here are some choice quotes from my upcoming press release:
The new antenna may have a favorable impact on the use of networks in corporate settings or for business transactions. Compared with radio frequencies, which pass right through walls, electron beams can be more tightly controlled.
"You make the network more secure because electrical energy is contained within plastic and doesn't leak out through the edges of the wires. You can equip the wires to contain electrical energy," said Subreality. "Also, you can create a tight beam between one point and another which doesn't diverge much in comparison to a radio frequency beam."
I'm a genius.
--Keepiru
--slashsuckATvegaDOTfurDOTcom
I dunno... if they could boost the power output of those IR transmitters to several kilowatts, that would make downsizing a lot easier...
Of course, it may require some extra budget for cleaning crews...
=Smidge=
I'm working on seed funding for a company that is developing a new product that will revolutionize WiFi security. I can't give too much away (patents and such are pending), but I can tell you it involves the transmission of RF signals through a flexible strand of material that freely conducts RF signals. This material is then surrounded by a material that does not conduct energy, and then (this is the kicker), the whole thing is wrapped in a "shield" of conductive material, preventing interception and injection of data.
These "RF Pipes" are going to be the next big thing, I just know it!
I've had enough abrasive sigs. Kittens are cute and fuzzy.
... when I change the track on my laserdisc player, my computer detects a UPSd call, and shuts down my fileserver...
IBM had PL/1, with syntax worse than JOSS,
And everywhere the language went, it was a total loss...
Does this mean that turning up the heat in the office can now be interpreted as "hacking"?
Finally we can warm up our lunch with privacy and authenticity! Security so good you can fry an egg on it!
I don't need large brains to have a good time.
I can just see the new paths layed down in chalk in offices, so as to not walk in front of the network LoS.
"Damn John, you walked right in front of my connection, now I gotta start this all over again"
Great.. the boss' kid comes to the office on a weekend with a TV remote control and DoSs the LAN.
Trolling is a art,
when you can use our patented security protocol?
You just put the message into the secure wrapper, and it's safe from prying eyes!
Neolight Networks Introduces Lightbulb Network
Tuesday November 12, 12:30 am ET, Lies Newswire
Weird Valley -- Neolight Networks Inc(R) is about to launch their revolutionary Lightbulb Network (TM) this coming Friday. Instead of using expensive infrared equipment, they're using normal light. "It's a cheap and secure network" said Al Bundy, CEO at Neolight Networks. "All spare parts are readily available at any store, which keeps maintenance costs down to a minimum." Bundy continued. "The Lightbulb Network is slightly slower than an infrared network, but otherwise it works on the same principle." said Bundy. "This network is as secure as the customer wants it to be. But we do recommend our customers to paint all the windows black and run the equipment on an internal power supply." Bundy said with a wide smile on his lips. There are some minor drawbacks though... Employees are not allowed to use any type of bright light, since this would crash the network. "But the light bulbs will blink the whole time, and give a nice disco feeling in the workplace." Bundy quickly added. People who suffer from epilepsy can't work in the rooms were the network is installed. Al Bundy told us that he recommends the customers to lay off all epileptic people... "it would save them from being sued once the network is up and running" Bundy told us.
Here in the US, we call it a joke.