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Is wardriving illegal?

waloshin

waloshin

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Oct 9, 2008
3,560
394
The last post I have seen on this was in 2004.
Using Wardriving for just collecting BSSID, network capabilities, the frequency, but not accessing the network. Then using this information to map the networks.

Is this now considered illegal?
 
Honestly I think it depends on the area. I remember seeing articles where some states were classifying it as illegal.

For the purposes you listed, I'm not so sure but I know accessing unprotected wifi can be considered illegal.
 
Doubt it is, doesn't the iPod Touch use maps of wifi networks to figure out where you are instead of using a GPS?
 
chrono1081 said:
Honestly I think it depends on the area. I remember seeing articles where some states were classifying it as illegal.

For the purposes you listed, I'm not so sure but I know accessing unprotected wifi can be considered illegal.
Click to expand...

Yep. Check out this story from 2007 about a guy getting arrested for using a coffee shop's WiFi from his car. The article also references a couple of other cases.
 
Just to clarify I mean just mapping the networks, not using them.

Example:

14nokd0.png
 
waloshin said:
The last post I have seen on this was in 2004.
Using Wardriving for just collecting BSSID, network capabilities, the frequency, but not accessing the network. Then using this information to map the networks.

Is this now considered illegal?
Click to expand...

I think you need to specify where specifically. What may be illegal in Saskatchewan may be legal in North Dakota.

Also, your best bet is to contact an electronic rights advocacy group in SK. You might try the privacy commissioner as well. But I suspect that even if you get a correct answer from this thread, you won't recognize it because there will be 3x as many wrong ones.

Besides - you're in University... aren't you supposed to be learning about how to research stuff and things?
 
samiwas said:
Where can you look up these maps? I'd be curious what my neighborhood looks like, or if I'm on it.
Click to expand...

You drive around with your own gps/computer and log the information yourself. Or you can use your smartphone.
 
samiwas said:
Where can you look up these maps? I'd be curious what my neighborhood looks like, or if I'm on it.
Click to expand...

Grab yourself KisMac, a laptop, and a car. Cruise through anywhere and you'ld be surprised what you can turn up. I have free Wifi on one side of my house because of the neighbours. I almost thing if I rearranged my home office I wouldn't have to pay for highspeed internet at all.

The iPhone - or at least iOS 5 devices - don't allow scanning anymore. But, in Ye Olden Dayes one could download an app through Cydia or something and have lots of fun gathering info. Well, lots of fun if you're a geek.

:)
 
I'm sure it depends on the jurisdiction, but in general it is legal to track wireless networks as long as you don't connect to them. As soon as you connect to them, it can be considered an illegal act.
 
grapes911 said:
I'm sure it depends on the jurisdiction, but in general it is legal to track wireless networks as long as you don't connect to them. As soon as you connect to them, it can be considered an illegal act.
Click to expand...

Sounds reasonable. You can sin in your heart, but otherwise, look-out.
 
waloshin said:
The last post I have seen on this was in 2004.
Using Wardriving for just collecting BSSID, network capabilities, the frequency, but not accessing the network. Then using this information to map the networks.

Is this now considered illegal?
Click to expand...

This is the business model for companies like SkyHook
 
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