4 ms·

Hidden device distorts news on wireless networks (with technical details)

75 points by szx 15y ago

mikeknoop 15y ago
Can anyone comment on the legality of packet manipulation? What if you own the source providing the internet connection?
- itcmcgrath 15y ago
  IANAL, but: Look up the "California Internet Trespass Law" for a start. Among other things, anyone tampering with data on a network faces a criminal conviction. Also, check out point from the state of Arizona: http://www.azleg.state.az.us/ars/13/02316.htm http://www.azleg.state.az.us/ars/13/02316.htm "Accessing, altering, damaging or destroying any computer, computer system or network, or any part of a computer, computer system or network, with the intent to devise or execute any scheme or artifice to defraud or deceive, or to control property or services by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations or promises." I think it would be safe to say this would be considered illegal in many places for a multitude of reasons.
- icegreentea 15y ago
  Would probably break the FCC 'will not interfere and will accept interference' thing for unlicensed devices.
JonnieCache 15y ago
I'm enjoying one of the comments on HaD, along the lines of "Let's configure it to tell the truth." That's probably the most disruptive way you could use the thing. Also, cross-injecting articles from sources of opposing bias could be a winner as well. EDIT: Direct link to (very elaborate) build guide: http://newstweek.com/howto http://newstweek.com/howto
andrest 15y ago
No mention of encrypted networks, so I'm assuming it only works on open, non-password protected network?
- szx 15y ago
  link to previous discussion on HN: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2080963 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2080963 one of the commenters claimed it would work (though they thought the whole thing was a joke at the time)
bhousel 15y ago
Love this idea. I actually had a similar idea a few months ago, but was planning to implement it as an email and web proxy that could be surreptitiously installed on someone's computer. Rather than news sites, my proxy would tone down political vitriol and jingoism. I want to have it ready in time for the 2012 election season.
tocomment 15y ago
I'd like to have it replace the word "piracy" in articles with "copyright infringement". I think that would lead to a more balanced discussion. Can you guys think of other words like that?
- spicyj 15y ago
  Somali copyright infringers?
  - randallsquared 15y ago
    The fact that we now have actual pirates in the news from month to month alongside copyright infringers does raise the stakes for those who want to stop calling infringement "piracy". I think the far worse Orwellization is using "theft" for copyright infringement.

75 points by szx 15y ago

Can anyone comment on the legality of packet manipulation? What if you own the source providing the internet connection?

itcmcgrath 15y ago
IANAL, but: Look up the "California Internet Trespass Law" for a start. Among other things, anyone tampering with data on a network faces a criminal conviction. Also, check out point from the state of Arizona: http://www.azleg.state.az.us/ars/13/02316.htm http://www.azleg.state.az.us/ars/13/02316.htm "Accessing, altering, damaging or destroying any computer, computer system or network, or any part of a computer, computer system or network, with the intent to devise or execute any scheme or artifice to defraud or deceive, or to control property or services by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations or promises." I think it would be safe to say this would be considered illegal in many places for a multitude of reasons.
icegreentea 15y ago
Would probably break the FCC 'will not interfere and will accept interference' thing for unlicensed devices.

JonnieCache 15y ago

I'm enjoying one of the comments on HaD, along the lines of "Let's configure it to tell the truth." That's probably the most disruptive way you could use the thing. Also, cross-injecting articles from sources of opposing bias could be a winner as well. EDIT: Direct link to (very elaborate) build guide: http://newstweek.com/howto http://newstweek.com/howto

andrest 15y ago

No mention of encrypted networks, so I'm assuming it only works on open, non-password protected network?

szx 15y ago
link to previous discussion on HN: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2080963 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2080963 one of the commenters claimed it would work (though they thought the whole thing was a joke at the time)

bhousel 15y ago

Love this idea. I actually had a similar idea a few months ago, but was planning to implement it as an email and web proxy that could be surreptitiously installed on someone's computer. Rather than news sites, my proxy would tone down political vitriol and jingoism. I want to have it ready in time for the 2012 election season.

tocomment 15y ago

I'd like to have it replace the word "piracy" in articles with "copyright infringement". I think that would lead to a more balanced discussion. Can you guys think of other words like that?

spicyj 15y ago
Somali copyright infringers?
- randallsquared 15y ago
  The fact that we now have actual pirates in the news from month to month alongside copyright infringers does raise the stakes for those who want to stop calling infringement "piracy". I think the far worse Orwellization is using "theft" for copyright infringement.