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NatSci 802.11x WiFi Tracker Zeroes In On Users

Posted by timothy on from the triangulation-nation dept.

securitas writes "Techweb reports that IT admins can now track and physically locate 802.11x WLAN users within a few feet using the new Wi-Fi Tracker hardware from National Scientific, based on its DarkStar wireless product. NSC's site says it will also produce tracking-only 'tag or badge' formats so admins are not limited to tracking active WLAN users and equipment. The company is now shipping development kits to its first customers and a technical specs PDF is available. The product incorporates Ekahau triangulation software. This is reminiscent of an earlier Slashdot story about office surveillance using 802.11b triangulation to track and determine the location of wireless network users."

5 of 85 comments (clear)

  1. Spyware time by 77Punker · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Now I imagine the Gov't will start giving free Wi-Fi access just to have a little better big-brother type of hold on us here in the "land of liberty". *sigh*

  2. Re:Well.. by AmericanKleptocracy · · Score: 1, Insightful

    it's they're [sic] network

    Precisely. It's their network, so why shouldn't they have the right to do anything they want to with it as long as it's not in violation of any laws, in order to ensure security, efficiency and productivity of their business?

    If business were trying to track what their employees do after they leave work, I would agree, but when you're on the job, it's all fair game.

  3. Re:Well.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Will companies be tracking the movement of wardrivers that normally track companies' bad security policies?

    If I recall, it was said that you would be able to detect if someone was in the building or not, but I'd imagine that if you can position yourself so you are only talking to one AP that their method wouldn't be able to find you, but you'd still be able to use the network.

    ^^ I'm a SysAdmin for a Wireless ISP, but that doesn't mean I know what I'm talking about.

  4. Re:What does it take? by LostCluster · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Why do the known points have to be relative to GPS? Calibration relative to known points on the office property is good enough... there's a lot of knowledge in knowing if a user is in the warehouse or the parking lot next to the warehouse.

  5. I'm confused.... by davburns · · Score: 2, Insightful
    I read the NatSci article (Yes, I know...) and it looks like this is just a wi-fi device that knows where it is, to be used to track things that its attached to.

    The techweb article seems to imply that something would locate any wi-fi device, which would be nice for tracking down wireless misbehavior.

    Did I miss something?