Intro.
As I have moved bloggs many times over the years, I sometimes republish old articles.
Here is one from 2006 (I hope it's still a little relevant)
You may have heard of war-driving. It’s a phrase that most people may have heard but don’t think much about.
It may hit the headlines now and again when someone is jailed for using his unsuspecting neighbour’s Wireless network. (What’s that man out in the car doing with his laptop and a Pringles tin?)
That though might not be the way your wireless is used by naughty people in the future.
(I use “naughty people” because I’m sick and tired of people confusing “Hackers” with “Crackers”)
You might not realise this, but when you are not using your wireless network, your computer is still trying to access it.
This means that it shouts out “Hey! Does anyone want to connect to me?”
If no one answers it, it shouts out again and again and, well you get the picture.
This can be a problem if someone (a naughty person again?) wants to create an ad-hoc connection with your Wi-Fi card.
This would be bad enough, but it gets worse.
Your Wi-Fi card may have a flaw (It does have a flaw, but I’m trying to be nice) that could allow someone to do things you don’t want them to.
WiFi makes waves at Blackhat is an interesting article that explains it in a lot more detail.
How to fix it?
When a fix becomes available then apply it. Until then, well forewarned is forearmed.
