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Can Faraday Cages Tame Wi-Fi?
mrraven writes "An article at TechWorld discusses the increased need for wireless network security. One possible solution to this problem is the use of building-wide Faraday cages to block the wireless signal from 'leaking'." From the article: "Small installations of RF shielding don't have to be expensive, and the basic concept of a Faraday cage can be extended to all kinds of small everyday objects. Leather wallets sandwiched with a conductive RF-shielding layer can prevent RFID scanners from reading personal information implanted in everything from RFID-enabled access control cards to some credit cards; they're widely available for as little as US$15. For those favoring a more DIY route, several Web sites have information on how to make an RFID-blocking wallet with duct tape and aluminum foil."
So this is essentially a giant tinfoil hat for your office? Will it stop the voices as well?
So we can replace the wires from each user to a building-wide mesh of wires.
A long time ago, I was a contractor for an establishment whose headquarters was over 4 city blocks and >10 stories above. The building was constructed entirely as a Faraday Cage (nothing inside got outside, checked on a regular basis). When the building was first constructed, the contractor adhered the wire mesh (windows were already shielded) with standard galvanized nails (inside receptor/conductor through shielding/outside transmitter). Go figure...
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
John 8:32(King James Version)
I totally agree with you. Until Windows is replaced with something more secure, the network can be easily accessible from outside.
Oh wait...
This is incredible, all this time I thought I just had bad luck. I can't get 1 bar of signal strength on my cell phone, unless I prop the phone against my window and point it at the cell phone tower that I can see ~500' away.
And WiFi? No way! I have 3 access points (One in attic, one in basement, one on the same floor as the PC using it (10' away on the other side of a wall) and do you think I can get a reliable signal? Hell no, but if I am in my car I can pick it up 2 blocks away.
My wifes old 900MHz phone works fine, my new 5.8GHz phone? it'll only work if I stay in the same room as the base-station and the people can only hear me when I yell.
If I try using 802.11a, I get good results (despite my wifes phone and 2 microwave ovens in the house), my CRAP (Completly Ridiculous Assinine Pet) theory is that the lower frequency passes through the super-human drywall that my house is made of. But to compete with that theory I can't understand why a Nerf-ball is able to dent the wall.
Time to move I guess.
"The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men." ~Plato (427-347 BC)
That's similar to the metal rebar in office buildings that hinders (absorbs or reflects) cell phone signals.
Can you hear me now? No? Good.
So now the attacker has to come into your foyer and sit around instead of being able to do it from the coffeeshop across the street!
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