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I hadn't either. Also what is the deal of random people contributing to the database at https://wigle.net/ https://wigle.net/, why don't you mind your own busin

I hadn't either. Also what is the deal of random people contributing to the database at https://wigle.net/ https://wigle.net/, why don't you mind your own business? There is a big difference between broadcasting the SSID in a 20-50m radius and effectively broadcasting it world-wide.

trishmapow2 8y ago
For fun I guess, been around since the beginning of Wi-Fi access points. I guess a similar kind of fun to geocaching, etc. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wardriving https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wardriving
- mosselman 8y ago
  I am aware that they must find it fun, but I am challenging the ethics of this 'fun'. I think this information should not exist anywhere and even if it did, it shouldn't be made public. Geocaching and trying to gather as much privacy sensitive information about the people around you are two different things. With geocaching there aren't any parties involved that are unaware of the activity who are still negatively impacted by it.
ForHackernews 8y ago
Google and other entities already have that data. Building open databases like wigle.net or https://location.services.mozilla.com/ https://location.services.mozilla.com/ seems good to me because: 1) It allows building alternative location providers that make it possible to have an Android device that doesn't rely on Google maps. 2) Publicizing the existences of these databases might make the general public more conscious of privacy and data protection issues involved.
- mosselman 8y ago
  1) I don't find such location-providers a good addition to society. 2) That is like saying you go around kicking people in the crotch to make them more conscious about the benefits of learning self-defence. Update: > Google and other entities already have that data. How is this an argument FOR gathering sensitive information about the people around you? Should you also look to their trash and digitise any documents they throw away and make a website that allows you to search through these documents? You could argue that Google or some other entity already has that information anyway. You could also argue that this would increase consciousness with regards to the privacy concerns of your trash.
  - ForHackernews 8y ago
    Re: #1 I think they are a good addition to society because otherwise every device has to rely on satellite positioning, which is slower, generally less accurate, and prone to failure indoors or around tall buildings.
    - mosselman 8y ago
      I prefer privacy over location data to be honest.
  - ForHackernews 8y ago
    Re #2 maybe if a few people got kicked in the crotch, there would be a groundswell of support to pass laws restricting who can kick you in the crotch and under what circumstances. Of course, the likely outcome is that only big multinational corporations with a legal team are allowed to kick you in the crotch.
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ahje 8y ago
The practice is questionable at best, but it's a good reminder about that everying sent with radio waves can be picked up by others even if they were not the intended recipients and no matter if you want them to or not. It's pretty much like leaving the front door unlocked -- it would be unethical to use it to go inside and steal your stuff but we still need to lock the door if we want to reduce the chance of someone stealing your stuff. Tips for avoiding this: - Change SSID at least once per year. - If your router support multiple SSID's, turn the current one off and use the next one in the settings instead -- it will usually result in the MAC address being changed as well. - Do the above whenever you move the router from one location to another.

trishmapow2 8y ago

For fun I guess, been around since the beginning of Wi-Fi access points. I guess a similar kind of fun to geocaching, etc. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wardriving https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wardriving

mosselman 8y ago
I am aware that they must find it fun, but I am challenging the ethics of this 'fun'. I think this information should not exist anywhere and even if it did, it shouldn't be made public. Geocaching and trying to gather as much privacy sensitive information about the people around you are two different things. With geocaching there aren't any parties involved that are unaware of the activity who are still negatively impacted by it.

ForHackernews 8y ago

Google and other entities already have that data. Building open databases like wigle.net or https://location.services.mozilla.com/ https://location.services.mozilla.com/ seems good to me because: 1) It allows building alternative location providers that make it possible to have an Android device that doesn't rely on Google maps. 2) Publicizing the existences of these databases might make the general public more conscious of privacy and data protection issues involved.

mosselman 8y ago
1) I don't find such location-providers a good addition to society. 2) That is like saying you go around kicking people in the crotch to make them more conscious about the benefits of learning self-defence. Update: > Google and other entities already have that data. How is this an argument FOR gathering sensitive information about the people around you? Should you also look to their trash and digitise any documents they throw away and make a website that allows you to search through these documents? You could argue that Google or some other entity already has that information anyway. You could also argue that this would increase consciousness with regards to the privacy concerns of your trash.
- ForHackernews 8y ago
  Re: #1 I think they are a good addition to society because otherwise every device has to rely on satellite positioning, which is slower, generally less accurate, and prone to failure indoors or around tall buildings.
  - mosselman 8y ago
    I prefer privacy over location data to be honest.
- ForHackernews 8y ago
  Re #2 maybe if a few people got kicked in the crotch, there would be a groundswell of support to pass laws restricting who can kick you in the crotch and under what circumstances. Of course, the likely outcome is that only big multinational corporations with a legal team are allowed to kick you in the crotch.

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ahje 8y ago

The practice is questionable at best, but it's a good reminder about that everying sent with radio waves can be picked up by others even if they were not the intended recipients and no matter if you want them to or not. It's pretty much like leaving the front door unlocked -- it would be unethical to use it to go inside and steal your stuff but we still need to lock the door if we want to reduce the chance of someone stealing your stuff. Tips for avoiding this: - Change SSID at least once per year. - If your router support multiple SSID's, turn the current one off and use the next one in the settings instead -- it will usually result in the MAC address being changed as well. - Do the above whenever you move the router from one location to another.