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Warchalking

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by kpushyamithra

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Warchalking a new term which refers to identifying wireless networking node where in one identifies & leaves a chalk mark for others to use it? Is this good or Not where are we headed to

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by admin

Makes it even easier to get online, particularly in hip urban areas. The new 2600 is about wireless. Anyone here that wants to set up a wireless network should make it required reading IMO.

by admin

Warchalking is to this era what wardialing was to the early modem days. It's also a way to do the equivalent of portscanning and never being traceable. I would think a lot of people here would be interested in this. I wonder how many of them get outdoors of their office and see the cryptic writing and have no clue that anyone is inside their network.

by timwalsh

1. These are not PUBLIC nodes. The only way that anyone on the outside can make use of these identified nodes is if security has not been enable for that node. Therefore it's a security issue. You are hacking into somebody elses network.

2. While use of the Internet is free, access is not. Regardless of how large or small a wirless network is, at some point, it is going to tie into a companies wired network. Therefore you are using bandwidth that someone else had bought and paid for.
3. If your attitude at this point is "so what?", certainly you wouldn't mind opening up your home wirless network for the rest of the neighborhood to use. Or for that matter, you might as well post the codes needed to clone your cell phone. It's the same principle.

4. With the growing threat of cyberterrorism, I don't think the following scenario is far-fetched:
FBI agent at your front door: "Sir, I'm sure by now you've heard about the computer attack that shut down the air trafficcontrol system and caused those planes to collide?"
You: "Sure, and I think it's just horrible. I hope they fry whoever is responsible for it."
FBI agent: "Sir, we've traced this attack conclusively to your Internet account. Will you come withus please!"
You: ??????????????

5. Is this a good idea? What do you think??

by admin

This is a threat to businesses. Even if some security IS enabled, some people (even possibly that work for the companies) are chalking marks that let others use the systems without having to go through any method of forcing entry into a network.
That someone inside, or someone very good at compromising security then leaves coded instructions so that anyone that wants to learn how to read the marks can log on. There are even websites dedicated to this so you can read what's in an area and thengo look at the marks and get your e-mail or shut down air traffic control from your laptop via someone elses wireless.

I understand that SOME people are willing to "chalk themselves" and allow public access, but wouldn't this even violate their ISP agreements in almost all cases?

I was amazed by a new Windows program for this. I had only seen airsnort before and thought cracking wireless was still more underground and less widely spread. This is definately becoming a connection of choice for malicious folk.

by dlittlejohn

War Chalking has been very big over in the european countries. Basically, people find a building that has Wireless networking and then hooks onto their network so they can get free internet access. Once found, the person marks the building or sidewalk or some where in the area with chalk.

Having encrypted networks prevents this from working. There are websites out there that are devoted to this type of thing.

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