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Thread ID: 109581 2010-05-13 23:49:00 Google Streetview also was Wardriving! 6ix (15746) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
884708 2010-05-13 23:49:00 www.stuff.co.nz

Information collected included the names and unique numbers associated with residents' wireless networks. The data, which is publicly available, was used to give precise readings of people's locations if they were using Google's mobile map services.

Wow - that's an impressive effort!!
6ix (15746)
884709 2010-05-14 00:06:00 Resistance is futile ... fred_fish (15241)
884710 2010-05-14 00:28:00 Damn you google :mad: jwil1 (65)
884711 2010-05-14 00:46:00 I have seen this in action, probably about a year ago too.

I bought an Asus WL-520GU off trademe, installed it here and connected with a PDA. Fired up google maps on wifi, sure enough current location was a street address in central Auckland - checked the senders address on the package and the address was identical. Kind of creepy. :illogical
wratterus (105)
884712 2010-05-14 00:52:00 And of course all these wireless networks are secured and encrypted aren't they?
:lol:
Sweep (90)
884713 2010-05-14 01:01:00 It does rather helpfully offer a clue to previous ownership. Handy for insurance companies and the police I guess.
There will probably be a series of anguished cries and claims of discrimination from some groups. Will it be Google or the taxpayers being asked for compensation?
R2x1 (4628)
884714 2010-05-14 01:32:00 Google IE toolbar(among others) = data-miner. I think thats more serious :for those that care ( I dont)

Even though I dont use any toolbars(& dont use IE), google seems to know where Ive been browsing. I can tell from the hits it gives in a google search.

Just who is Big Brother now ??
sroby (11519)
884715 2010-05-14 02:09:00 Yeah you have to wonder, if microsoft or telecom did this there would be hell to pay....
Maybe this is no big deal but ..... i guess only time will tell
Gobe1 (6290)
884716 2010-05-14 02:15:00 And of course all these wireless networks are secured and encrypted aren't they?
:lol:

this magic works by MAC address, the MAC address in unique worldwide.

*ALL* wifi sends out it's MAC address.

hidden network? it still sends out it's MAC.
encrypted network? it still sends out it's MAC.
MAC filtered? it still sends out it's MAC.

this system only uses the MAC, what the harm in that?
robsonde (120)
884717 2010-05-14 02:21:00 The point being they can't get your Data if the network is secure. Sweep (90)
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