Residential Wi-Fi Mapping Database Revealed

Talaria writes "An enormous database of home wifi routers and their locations has been revealed after the Internet Patrol did some digging following AOL's recent announcement of their new "Near Me" service, which allows AIM users to see which of their instant messenger buddies are geographically near them. The database, containing the unique IDs of more than 16 million wireless routers and their locations, has been compiled by AOL partner Skyhook Wireless, which claims to have mapped the majority of residences in the U.S. and Canada."

Comments

Wow...

[physicsboy500]

Why don't they just color code it to show the non-secure points and send a fax to all known hackers?

oh... just got an email!!

First post and it's slashdotted?!!

[writertype]

Man, that's some weak sauce.

Re:First post and it's slashdotted?!!

[Anonymous Coward]

How about some cyber sauce?

AOL Introduces Location Plug-In for Instant Messaging So Users Can See Where Buddies Are

[...Adam McDugle (an IT manager and regular slashdot user) is testing out the Skyhook plugin on a late Saturday night over a scotch on the rocks at the house. Meanwhile an AIM session takes a curious turn...]
adam_mcdugle - So, you really look like that jpeg you sent me?
hotgrl69 - well my gf took the pic of me while i was showering lol!
adam_mcdugle - ORLY? Where did you say you live again?
hotgrl69 - my gf and i live in an apt in daytona beach :)
[ Adam notices the blue dot graph showing hotgrl69's actual location. He fires up google maps and sees hotgrl69 is actually in a trailer park in Jasper Arkansas. At this point, Adam pretty much realizes a set of twigs and berries is probably on the other end of the screen but really doesn't care... ]
adam_mcdugle - Tell me a little more about yourself. What makes you hot?
hotgrl69 - me and trish like long baths
hotgrl69 - we take turns with the sponge
hotgrl69 - we like to snorkel like ocean divers
hotgrl69 - hello?
adam_mcdugle - Yeah. I'm still here. But I only type 25 wpm per hand.

Figures ...

[petabyte]

My GPS unit for wardriving comes via Fedex tomorrow. Now they've taken all the fun out of it :(.

Re:Makes me wonder

[Anonymous Coward]

If there is a way once you detect someone attaching to your wireless network to fry their computer remotely

1) Assign their machine an address via DHCP
2) ping machine with the evil bit set on the packet
3) ???
4) PROFIT!

Noone loves me

[Cytlid]

Noone ever connects to my wide open wireless with an SSID of "Honeypot".

you name your network after your girlfriend?

[davidwr]

Oh wait, this is slashdot. Nevermind.

Re:Makes me wonder

[Anonymous Coward]

I use squid in interception proxy mode to replace all their http GETs with goatse and lemonparty. They don't seem to stick around long after that.

Re:WiFi Mapping

[muellerr1]

That can be the difference between the company's product as a topic on slashdot, and a dude at home posting on slashdot with no pants on.

I'm at the office posting on slashdot with no pants on, you insensitive clod.

Come on guys!

[CasperIV]

Quick, everyone trade routers! Let's make some poor data entry grunt cry.

Re:Does anybody know their methods?

[SCHecklerX]

I want people to stumble upon mine, and proudly broadcast it. Teenlesbianorgy.

Re:Skyhook trucks

[Anonymous Coward]

I think you mean a lawn GNU/Gnome.

Re:How did they crack my network!?!

[Anonymous Coward]

Quick, someone make a "Your access point is broadcasting a MAC address" banner!