Residential Wi-Fi Mapping Database Revealed

Talaria writes "An enormous database of home wifi routers and their locations has been revealed after the Internet Patrol did some digging following AOL's recent announcement of their new "Near Me" service, which allows AIM users to see which of their instant messenger buddies are geographically near them. The database, containing the unique IDs of more than 16 million wireless routers and their locations, has been compiled by AOL partner Skyhook Wireless, which claims to have mapped the majority of residences in the U.S. and Canada."

Coral Cache

[TubeSteak]

The site isn't loading for me
Hit the Coralized link:
http://www.theinternetpatrol.com.nyud.net:8080/eno rmous-map-of-wifi-servers-including-yours-revealed -by-aol-and-skyhook-announcement [nyud.net]

My only response to "ZOMG databse!!"
is that anyone could do this if they had time and money.

They advertise it

[DogDude]

I love this silly blog... "according to news sources..."... like it's some kind of secret database. Here's a better source: http://www.skyhookwireless.com/ [skyhookwireless.com] On their front page

"Skyhook Wireless provides a software-only positioning system that leverages a nationwide database of known Wi-Fi access points to calculate the precise location of any Wi-Fi enabled device. "

WiGLE

[lthown]

I've been uploading wardriving stuff to WiGLE for over a year, using that you can actually even see the access point names and if security is turned on: http://www.wigle.net/ [wigle.net].

Revealed? Huh?

[Lumpy]

http://www.wigle.net/gps/gps/Map/onlinemap2/ [wigle.net]

it's been out there for a long time. Most people into war driving know about it.

Re:Does anybody know their methods?

[Anonymous Coward]

Every access point has a hardware address that never changes (unless the owner is a firmware-flashing geek) and is always broadcast, even if you turn off SSID broadcasts. If you have a powered-on wireless access point and they've scanned your area, your AP is in the database. I don't think people should be worried about this any more than they should be worried if there were no such database: If your wireless AP is configured properly, you're safe and there's no negative impact from someone using the broadcasts of your AP to determine his location. If you want your net to be private and your AP is open or using an insufficient password or encryption method, what exactly are you waiting for? If you want your AP to be open, then you probably want that people use it, so the database can only help, right?

Re:mod parent up

[EatHam]

Or if you have 100 other things to do besides take an entire weekend running wires. Or if you want to use your laptop outside. Or if you don't want to drill holes everywhere. Or if you don't have easy access to an attic or basement. Or, or, or, or. There are valid reasons to go wireless. Being lazy is one, being an idiot is one, and just liking to have the freedom that comes with a wireless connection is another.

Re:Not an accurate representation of what's going

[Greg Lindahl]

Nor is there a way to associate BSSIDs with individuals or addresses in their system or elsewhere.

Unless the SSID has the address in it, which I see that several of the networks around my apartment do. "shadows109" is apt 109 of the complex I live in, 1600villa_107 is unit 107 of the apartments at 1600 Villa street, and so on.