Google streetview cars take data from open Wi-Fi

[mrindigo]

Here's yet some more incentive to have your Wi-fi locked down by changing the default login password, user name, enabling encryption, and MAC filtering. I can't say exactly how many I cross that aren't secured, but it's astronomically high. If these people knew just what could be done/obtained with these unsecured...oh wait now they do!

Here's a good article on this from my favorite PC website.

Google streetview cars grabbed payload data off of open Wi-Fi

Maximum PC readers don't need to be reminded why encrypting their wireless networks is important, but a recent slip up by the Google Street View team only serves to drive home the point. In a posting released on the European Public Policy Blog Google was forced to admit that in addition to collecting SSID and MAC address information about passing networks, payload information was also collected and archived. In Google's defense the only information that was acquired is data that was being transmitted over open Wi-Fi, but it only serves to fuel the fears, particularly in Europe that the Street View Cars are up to no good.

So how exactly did this happen? In a follow up post Google explained that "in 2006 an engineer working on an experimental WiFi project wrote a piece of code that sampled all categories of publicly broadcast WiFi data," Google's Senior VP, Engineering & Research Alan Eustace wrote. "A year later, when our mobile team started a project to collect basic WiFi network data like SSID information and MAC addresses using Google's Street View cars, they included that code in their software-although the project leaders did not want, and had no intention of using, payload data."

Google is consulting with a third party to help them confirm what was collected, and ensure it is properly deleted. You could argue that anyone operating an open hotspot deserves what they get, but at the same time it is important for Google to show the world it has at least a passing respect for our privacy given the sheer volume of personal information they seem to be privileged to.

Do you blame Google for the slip up?

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/new..._wifi_networks

[erthiz]

Yeah...right....a 'slip up'...

Keep an eye on this one.

[timelord]

There is some very easily available Apple Mac software that scans all WI-FI networks, hidden or not, and can even, given time, encrypt passwords. If this is available to the Plebs, freely, then God knows what the powers that be have at their disposal.

[smariot]

You mean if I send information unencrypted over the air, someone else might see it? Say it isn't so!

Seriously, this is stupid. If I had an unprotected access point, I'd be much more worried about somebody using it to download child pornography or some such thing and getting me arrested.

I'd also be more worried about bluetooth devices, which seem to be perfectly happy to talk to absolutely any other device that comes within their range.

[mrindigo]

Originally Posted by smariot

You mean if I send information unencrypted over the air, someone else might see it? Say it isn't so!

Seriously, this is stupid. If I had an unprotected access point, I'd be much more worried about somebody using it to download child pornography or some such thing and getting me arrested.

I'd also be more worried about bluetooth devices, which seem to be perfectly happy to talk to absolutely any other device that comes within their range.

Those are definitely some concerns. A lot of people do online banking now too, so that's at risk.

Your concerns for bluetooth are warranted. If you're unfamiliar with what bluejacking is, I suggest researching it. Similar issues have been discovered with credit cards using RFID chips, and the companies are trying to keep it hush-hush.

[mrindigo]

Originally Posted by timelord

There is some very easily available Apple Mac software that scans all WI-FI networks, hidden or not, and can even, given time, encrypt passwords. If this is available to the Plebs, freely, then God knows what the powers that be have at their disposal.

OSX does have those capabilities, but it's the linux based programs that have the raw power. A lot of those Wi-Fi crackers aren't even needed in some areas now though, not with China being the major producer of NICs. They have the MAC addresses cataloged.

[fidokrab]

This is where old technology, wires, come in handy once again.