6 ms·

Probably not helpful, but after reading this I can't stop wanting to make a device that appears to be ~20-30 devices by randomizing its MAC address quickly and

by sjm-lbm 12y ago

Probably not helpful, but after reading this I can't stop wanting to make a device that appears to be ~20-30 devices by randomizing its MAC address quickly and causing extra staff to be sent to my line any time I was at a place that used a system like this.

tedks 12y ago
You wouldn't need a device, would you? Just a rooted Android phone and an app. Maybe a custom kernel.
omonra 12y ago
You're not getting staff directed to your line, you're just screwing with other passengers who are fed erroneous data: "The system allows the airport to display to passengers how long the wait in each of its security lines is." All that system does is show you (ie passenger making decision where to go) which line has fewest people in it.
- darklajid 12y ago
  "The system allows the airport to display to passengers how long the wait in each of its security lines is. It also allows the airport to adjust its resources to respond to demand." I feel that this supports the GP and contradicts your statement. If you're sure the article is wrong, can you support that?
  - omonra 12y ago
    I guess this is a matter of interpretation. My read is that they simply show accurate line wait expectancy, thus ensuring that all lines are utilized (as opposed to one line being empty and the other having a 10 minute wait). From a business perspective it's much simpler for an airport / TSA to put same staff numbers across and expect passengers to figure out optimal route, as opposed to making staff move around.
- forrestthewoods 12y ago
  There's nothing erroneous about reporting random mac addresses. I think that should be the default behavior for devices. Mac addresses shouldn't be used for tracking. If the airport reports valid data in an incorrect way that's their fault.
  - omonra 12y ago
    If you read my comment carefully you will see that I did not express the sentiment that you are arguing with. My point was that the parent comment action was primarily directed toward fellow passengers (ie it's a dick move towards them, airport staff aren't going anywhere :), not whether 'mac tracking' is right or wrong.
  - Dylan16807 12y ago
    Random MAC is fine. Pretending to be 20 devices is obnoxious.
    - bloodorange 12y ago
      No, it's not. One is free to preserve their privacy by using 20000000 if not 20 device MAC addresses. The aim is not to be tracked - which would imply changing the MAC address regularly.
      - Dylan16807 12y ago
        Regularly is fine. Maintaining 20 simultaneous MAC addresses screws up things like DHCP and QoS.
    - jghn 12y ago
      The security theater is obnoxious. This is just gaming the security theater.
      - Dylan16807 12y ago
        Measuring line size has nothing to do with security or security theater.
firloop 12y ago
This is exactly what Pry-Fi [0], an app for rooted Android devices, does. [0]: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.pryfi&hl=en https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.p...

by sjm-lbm 12y ago

tedks 12y ago

You wouldn't need a device, would you? Just a rooted Android phone and an app. Maybe a custom kernel.

omonra 12y ago

You're not getting staff directed to your line, you're just screwing with other passengers who are fed erroneous data: "The system allows the airport to display to passengers how long the wait in each of its security lines is." All that system does is show you (ie passenger making decision where to go) which line has fewest people in it.

darklajid 12y ago
"The system allows the airport to display to passengers how long the wait in each of its security lines is. It also allows the airport to adjust its resources to respond to demand." I feel that this supports the GP and contradicts your statement. If you're sure the article is wrong, can you support that?
- omonra 12y ago
  I guess this is a matter of interpretation. My read is that they simply show accurate line wait expectancy, thus ensuring that all lines are utilized (as opposed to one line being empty and the other having a 10 minute wait). From a business perspective it's much simpler for an airport / TSA to put same staff numbers across and expect passengers to figure out optimal route, as opposed to making staff move around.
forrestthewoods 12y ago
There's nothing erroneous about reporting random mac addresses. I think that should be the default behavior for devices. Mac addresses shouldn't be used for tracking. If the airport reports valid data in an incorrect way that's their fault.
- omonra 12y ago
  If you read my comment carefully you will see that I did not express the sentiment that you are arguing with. My point was that the parent comment action was primarily directed toward fellow passengers (ie it's a dick move towards them, airport staff aren't going anywhere :), not whether 'mac tracking' is right or wrong.
- Dylan16807 12y ago
  Random MAC is fine. Pretending to be 20 devices is obnoxious.
  - bloodorange 12y ago
    No, it's not. One is free to preserve their privacy by using 20000000 if not 20 device MAC addresses. The aim is not to be tracked - which would imply changing the MAC address regularly.
    - Dylan16807 12y ago
      Regularly is fine. Maintaining 20 simultaneous MAC addresses screws up things like DHCP and QoS.
  - jghn 12y ago
    The security theater is obnoxious. This is just gaming the security theater.
    - Dylan16807 12y ago
      Measuring line size has nothing to do with security or security theater.

firloop 12y ago

This is exactly what Pry-Fi [0], an app for rooted Android devices, does. [0]: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.pryfi&hl=en https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.p...