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Residential Wi-Fi Mapping Database Revealed

Posted by kdawson on from the X-ICBM dept.

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."

4 of 167 comments (clear)

  1. They advertise it by DogDude · · Score: 4, Informative

    I love this silly blog... "according to news sources..."... like it's some kind of secret database. Here's a better source: http://www.skyhookwireless.com/ On their front page

    "Skyhook Wireless provides a software-only positioning system that leverages a nationwide database of known Wi-Fi access points to calculate the precise location of any Wi-Fi enabled device. "

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    I don't respond to AC's.
  2. WiGLE by lthown · · Score: 3, Informative

    I've been uploading wardriving stuff to WiGLE for over a year, using that you can actually even see the access point names and if security is turned on: http://www.wigle.net/.

  3. Revealed? Huh? by Lumpy · · Score: 4, Informative

    http://www.wigle.net/gps/gps/Map/onlinemap2/

    it's been out there for a long time. Most people into war driving know about it.

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    Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
  4. Re:Does anybody know their methods? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Every access point has a hardware address that never changes (unless the owner is a firmware-flashing geek) and is always broadcast, even if you turn off SSID broadcasts. If you have a powered-on wireless access point and they've scanned your area, your AP is in the database. I don't think people should be worried about this any more than they should be worried if there were no such database: If your wireless AP is configured properly, you're safe and there's no negative impact from someone using the broadcasts of your AP to determine his location. If you want your net to be private and your AP is open or using an insufficient password or encryption method, what exactly are you waiting for? If you want your AP to be open, then you probably want that people use it, so the database can only help, right?