The net just got a bit scarier
 

Now they can find you from anywhere

BBC News - Web attack knows where you live

Big Brother will love this.... (if they did not know it already ;) )

disconnect from the web.

The article was not clear on one thing. I have to assume Google only know the location of a wireless network. How can Google sniff out a wired router?

Assuming it really is just wireless routers, what if the router is in stealth mode? Can a sniffer still find it? I know a wireless router is broadcasting RF signals so I guess a receiver can find even a stealth router, but the average computer can't see it.

I think the answer is yes. You will not get the SSID, but you will get some info from the router.

I'm glad that streetview is not available on my street.

Soooo, if you get a different MAC address after Google has done their drive-by, then the substance of this article is moot?

I use my neighbor's wireless router so I guess he will get all the visits then?

I wish they would find me, pay attention to me, love me...but they wont...

I have been considering just that.

Disconnect?
I just got here.
No street view here either. What exactly is a street again?

Not really possible... MAC addresses are hard coded into the device by the manufacture.

What I don't get is the guy shows the exploit, then gets convicted, yet it's Google that was sniffing wireless networks. put them in a geo-locating database and nada?????

Makes war driving a thing of the past I just have to queryt the DB. I wonder how much SSID's and encryption (or lack there os) information Google caught....hmmm so I could query their DB and find all the open wireless AP's even ones in banks, loan offices, credit card companies......and he's the criminal


:P

Well that's what I mean... The MAC address belongs to the router, so, if it's that much of an issue/ that much of a security risk, then trash the router and get a new one, provided that Google has already sniffed everything out in your neighborhood.
I'm certainly no IT guy so I'm open to clarifications. Also, it goes without saying that having to spend the $$ on a new router just to tie up this security risk is super-bogus.

The guy across the street from me turns his router off when he shuts down his computer. His router is only on if he is using his computer for net access. I just keep my router in stealth mode, and use a strong password with encryption.

How do you "stealth mode" a wireless router?

It is one of the settings in the router setup.

Sure its possible!

Just buy a different unit. Or get several units and swap them with friends! Would drive them nuts! :)

They can come and visit anytime they want. The woods are your friend. On a moonless night you can't see your hand in front of your face.

Most people don't know what dark really is until they can't see 6 inches in any direction. Like being blind.

With night vision goggles they can see just fine. :)

And so can I!