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Anti-Wi-Fi Wallpaper

Posted by michael on from the better-than-tin-foil dept.

Alephcat writes "New Scientist is reporting on a wallpaper that can prevent hackers accessing secure networks via Wi-Fi - without blocking mobile phone signals - that's been developed by a British defence contractor. It is based on covert 'stealth' technology that was originally designed to hide military radars."

14 of 233 comments (clear)

  1. That's fine... but by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    what's to stop me from establishing a VPN connection over my GPRS cell? Either way, they can't win.

    1. Re:That's fine... but by retostamm · · Score: 2, Interesting

      If you turn it into "block" mode, it will block all frequencies, so your Cell won't work either. Of course, you could get that effect with tin foil :)

      --
      get 7 free Japanese lessons.
    2. Re:That's fine... but by FireFury03 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Or you could simply use wired networks.

      In situations where wired networks are a good solution I see absolutely no reason to use wireless networks - wired networks are faster, more reliable, more secure. However there are a lot of situations where wireless networks are useful - I have a wireless network so I can move my notebook anywhere in my house without having to get tangled up in long network cables. On a factory floor I can see many times where you might want to access the corporate LAN or the internet without having to plug cables in. Like it or not, there are many situations where a wired network in impractical, but IMHO if you don't understand security you have absolutely no business setting up a wireless network - go pay someone who has a clue and get them to do it.

      --
      http://blog.nexusuk.org
  2. Does it go both ways? by NanoGator · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Can they make wallpaper that enhances my wifi instead of killing it?

    --
    "Derp de derp."
  3. *ahem* by Sonic+McTails · · Score: 1, Interesting

    I don't really see this stopping hackers that are determined. I use my own cell phone as a modem to transfer data all the time. Since it lets celluar signals through, it would be very easy to just connect to the net like this.

    --
    This signature was left intentionally blank.
  4. That just might be the anser for me by mpost4 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I am selfish, if I pay for my net access, no war driver is allowed on. Right now I am just trying to be harder to get in then my neibores.

  5. Re:I don't know ... by Sheetrock · · Score: 3, Interesting
    Think of it as part of a security solution rather than the whole solution.

    I use a firewall, but I also patch my machines. Some people skip the second step until the first or second time someone brings in a laptop from home and connects it to the internal network, which brings me to the point about running software firewalls on individual machines in addition to the one at the router.

    I agree that this wallpaper is better as a backup defense rather than a primary one, but plays an important part nonetheless. Home laptops are being pushed with WiFi now.

    --

    Try not. Do or do not, there is no try.
    -- Dr. Spock, stardate 2822-3.




  6. Re:WEP? by genixia · · Score: 2, Interesting

    WEP is _far_ from perfect. And you are ignoring one of the main risks - that of rogue (ie non-authorised) APs set up by employees that are often unsecured.

    Security is a process, not a milepost that can be passed. Risks need to be constantly re-evaluated and addressed. You can bet that UKP500/m^2 is a small price for a Gov't agency to pay to protect secrets that could cause lives to be lost should they leak. And that also goes for military contractors too.

  7. Anti Wi-Fi neighbor!! by ron_ivi · · Score: 3, Interesting
    I can beat that... I had a anti-wi-fi neighbor.

    Set up my wireless access point as a deliberatelly unprotected box and watched packets fly by my router... Seems one of my neighbors was quite into high-bandwidth images and videos - guess he had a script or something to make downloading faster. Pretty effective denial of service attack on the WiFi access point.

    1. Re:Anti Wi-Fi neighbor!! by Cat_Byte · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I believe it was called fatpipe and last I checked it was still around. Let me know if it works ;) I've got my signal and a neighbors...hehe.

      --
      Two roads diverged in a wood, and I - I took the one the bus load of girls just went down.
    2. Re:Anti Wi-Fi neighbor!! by homer_ca · · Score: 2, Interesting

      That's what that so called Speedbooster 108Mb/s gear does. It uses two non-overlapping WiFi channels simultaneously to double the speed. It also effectively monopolizes all the 2.4GHz channels in the area. As long as your neighbors aren't complaining...

  8. selective interference by dillee1 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    The tech behind that wall paper sounds like the same as selective interference used on camera lens anti-reflection coating.
    In this case the spacing of the 2 reflective layer is tuned to allow maxium transmission of GSM and 3G signal; the reflection wave from first copper layer is 180^ out of phase with the reflection wave from the second copper layer.
    IMO this wallpaper will block EVERYTHING and just allows the mobile channels to go through.

  9. Re:Same principal as a microwave door. by Lumpy · · Score: 2, Interesting

    cripes a low-tech version of this is called aluminum siding and aluminum storm windows with aluminum screening. effective to kill a wifi AP sitting 6 inches from one side and any kind of gear trying to connect on the other.

    So this makes most houses improved in the late 80's wifi-proof.

    I simply extended the aluminum screening all the way up in all windows and effectively cut off all the neighbors. the only leak points I have are the front door window and the sliding glass door in back, both fixable with aluminum screening in the storm door and the screen door.

    I dont need no "stealth" technology, All I need is a good metal conductor.

    hell, GC electronics sold a conductive RF shielding paint back in the early 90's that would also do the job just as well.

    Nothing new here, just someone marketing old RF shielding as something new.

    --
    Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
  10. Great stuff -- Enforce no mobile phones! by billsf · · Score: 2, Interesting

    There must be (a possibly bigger) market in blocking mobile phones? Make the tuned circuits resonate at lower frequencies (larger) and block mobile phones. Its so obvious as a legal way to enforce 'quiet zones' in so many places. Modern mobile phones are at 800, 900, 1800 and 1900MHz. Larger elements and the added bonus mobile phones are close to harmonic intervals makes for a simplified design.

    There is quite a bit of information (in books, not http) how to do this. Is about as 'hi-tech' as anti-theft tags on CDs. At five or ten bucks a m^2 there would definitely be a market for a variety of purposes, and frequencies, including wlan. This beats the hell out of active jamming. Except for perhaps the US, this is definitely NOT patentable.