Police 'Wardriving'

[MAD]

I have so many comments, but I'm afraid the forum's sarcasm detectors might explode.



http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2012/03/po...in-queensland/

Police to cruise streets for unsecured Wi-Fi
March 23, 2012

Wireless internet a new crime scene

Queensland Police patrol the streets with laptops looking for unlocked wi-fi networks which can provide criminals with open access to your personal information.

How to secure your Wi-Fi

The Queensland Police fraud squad will be the first in Australia to go on "wardriving" missions to help residents protect their wireless internet networks.

The State Crime Operations Command's Fraud and Corporate Crime Group first touted the wardriving project in 2009, in which police will detect unsecured wireless networks in homes and businesses that are prime targets for cyber criminals.

The project was officially launched yesterday to coincide with National Consumer Fraud Week.

Officers in the Hi Tech Crime Investigation Unit on wardriving missions will drive the streets of Brisbane with a laptop computer, looking for unsecured Wi-Fi networks.

Residents and businesses owners in targeted areas will then be mailed information about how to effectively secure their connection.
Another image from the paraphernalia that Queensland Police will distribute.

Another image from the paraphernalia that Queensland Police will distribute. It features "Fiscal the Fraud Fighting Ferret".

Police will return to the area some time later to check whether residents have taken heed of the warning.

Security expert Paul Ducklin, of Sophos, said he liked the idea.

"It's fun, low cost, low impact, and will help to raise awareness of just how public unencrypted Wi-Fi really is," he said.
Head of the Queensland Police fraud squad Brian Hay at this morning's press conference.

Head of the Queensland Police fraud squad Brian Hay. Photo: Munir Kotadia/ZDNet.com.au

"For the cops to take the time to give you a low-key personal security hint which might save you some cyberagony in the future - what's not to like about it?"

Detective Inspector Bruce van der Graaf, head of the NSW Police Computer Crimes Unit, has previously said he was watching the Queensland Police operation with interest.

"Apart from notifying people that their wireless is unsecure I don't know what else would be achieved by it but if their trial is fruitful we'd always participate in something that works," he said in 2009.

To critics of the operation, who may believe police could better spend their time seeking out drug dealers and outlaw bikies, Queensland Police Detective Superintendent Brian Hay said the issue was just as important as any other.

"We have known of people whose Wi-Fi has been hacked and used to commit data theft, stalking and other serious crimes such as downloading child exploitation material," he said.

"I would think it's very important to save mum and dad or grandma and grandpa from becoming suspects in a serious crime or possibly losing their life savings, having their identity stolen or losing the kids' inheritance."

Superintendent Hay said police would not drive every street of the city, but rather target selected areas from time to time.

"This is mainly about raising awareness of the issue," he said.

"Unprotected or unsecured wireless networks are easy to infiltrate and hack.

"Criminals can then either take over the connection and commit fraud online or steal the personal details of the owner. This is definitely the next step in identity fraud."

Superintendent Hay said Wi-Fi users without a secure network "may as well put their bank account details, password and personal details on a billboard on the side of the highway".

His greatest concern is "open" wireless connections, otherwise referred to as access points.

"An open or unprotected connection or point allows anyone to use your internet, monitor your activity or steal your identity information," he said.

Also of great concern is Wired Equivalent Privacy encryption, an older form of security which offers limited protection, Superintendent Hay said.

"Having WEP encryption is like using a close screen door as your sole means of security at home," he said.

He recommended using WiFi Protected Access 2 as an adequate means of protection.

"We are encouraging the public not to sit back and wait ... check your connection and make sure it's protected tonight," he said.

- With Ben Grubb

[cs123]

Perhaps the simplest thing is to have a regulation that all wifi routers are configured with with WEP. Then if you disable this you've made a conscious decision.

I don't see too many wifi routers unlocked these days. I think our tax $$$ can be better spent.

[KITBAG]

Originally Posted by cs123

I think our tax $$$ can be better spent.

100% Agree

Originally Posted by cs123

I don't see too many wifi routers unlocked these days.

I know a few....

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by cs123

Perhaps the simplest thing is to have a regulation that all wifi routers are configured with with WEP. Then if you disable this you've made a conscious decision.

I don't see too many wifi routers unlocked these days. I think our tax $$$ can be better spent.

I'd think WPA2 minimum with at least 12 character passphrase
Then MAC address filtering (not that they can't be spoofed).
Additionally create yourself a VPN.

[cs123]

Originally Posted by KITBAG

I know a few....

Download all the internet.......

[KITBAG]

Originally Posted by cs123

Download all the internet.......

I am trying every day

[flappist]

Actually that is less than 0.1% of the data seized megauploads....

[graham_h]

What a waste of time and money
Bit of a worry that my Doctors sugery's WiFi is open..

[GazzF6]

Well at least it gets them patrolling the streets! They might even catch a few burglars In the process....

[MITCHAY]

Probably more cost effective to have some sort of education campaign though not exactly hard to find out this sort of stuff with a Google search.

1. Use WPA2 if you have it
2. Don't broadcast your SSID
3. Have a really complex key
3. MAC filtering. Block all and only allow what's on the list

Just checked my Wifi and there is only one unsecured in my vicinity but the rest are still broadcasting. 2 have WEP and 2 WPA.

[svo supporter]

Here's a classic example of coppers trying to prevent us honest people falling victim of some lowlife scum ripping our personal details off, and putting us to the wall financially and people are on here saying it's a waste of time, money and resources.

I'd hate to be a copper. Damned if they do, damned if they don't.

[JC]

Originally Posted by svo supporter

Here's a classic example of coppers trying to prevent us honest people falling victim of some lowlife scum ripping our personal details off, and putting us to the wall financially and people are on here saying it's a waste of time, money and resources.

I'd hate to be a copper. Damned if they do, damned if they don't.

I agree - poor blokes don't stand a chance. I'm actually surprised a government is spending money doing this. What wouldn't surprised me is to see legislation passed that makes an unsecured personal wi-fi network illegal, then the cops patrol the suburbs and start sending out fines. So to see some pro-active policing with no fines and no direct dollar benefit to the state govt is a pleasant change.

Now to convince them to pull down all speed cameras, and get police personnel back on the street patrolling everything....

[Jim Goose]

While technically a "good" thing... its a waste of valuable reasources.

What about where there is "free" wiifi???
Townsville Council has free internet in Flinders st.
I have also seen a few Maccas offering free internet....

Seriously whats the point?

On the scale of things there is other crime which should be targeted

[04redxr8]

Originally Posted by Jim Goose

While technically a "good" thing... its a waste of valuable reasources.

What about where there is "free" wiifi???
Townsville Council has free internet in Flinders st.
I have also seen a few Maccas offering free internet....

Seriously whats the point?

On the scale of things there is other crime which should be targeted

Actually, a lot of businesses and public places have free WiFi hotspots these days. Most places advertise it as a convenience.

I think this more to protect the less tech savvy amongst us. I know I had to study the manual to makes sure mine was locked.

[2011G6E]

While sitting in the hospital the other day I read an article on "the latest next big thing" in the USA and Europe. Super high speed wifi which uses a frequency that means in open areas it covers up to 60 square kilometers. They are trialling whether this could lead to a "free wifi" service for everyone...one town in the USA has set it up free for everyone in town, business and private, and some places in Europe are trialling it as well, and it looks very promising. The signal they use is also of a frequency that passes through walls, so line of sight isn't a limitation.

How's that National Broadband Network coming along then...? Damn thing will be out of date by the time it's half finished the way this stuff advances...

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

While sitting in the hospital the other day I read an article on "the latest next big thing" in the USA and Europe. Super high speed wifi which uses a frequency that means in open areas it covers up to 60 square kilometers. They are trialling whether this could lead to a "free wifi" service for everyone...one town in the USA has set it up free for everyone in town, business and private, and some places in Europe are trialling it as well, and it looks very promising. The signal they use is also of a frequency that passes through walls, so line of sight isn't a limitation.

How's that National Broadband Network coming along then...? Damn thing will be out of date by the time it's half finished the way this stuff advances...

It's more of a "white space" than wifi.
It uses the spectrum between TV channels.
Good concept but can and prob will be prone to interference of other unlicensed devices.

[|Nate]

I think this is a bit silly, with good intentions.

I wish more modem/router companies did what Thompson/Bigpond do, when they ship them they have a unique key encrypted with WPA2 sent with the device.

Otherwise people really should just be educated on the matter, it's not that hard to get personal data off people through their wifi, especially if you use 'free' wifi hotspots. If anyone on here ever has, never ever ever do anything personal like eBanking or FBing over wifi hotspots.

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

How's that National Broadband Network coming along then...? Damn thing will be out of date by the time it's half finished the way this stuff advances...

The Fibre part of the NBN won't be out of date when it's released, as those lines can take anywhere from 1 Mb/s up to and over 1 Gb/s for households. It's our countries backbone servers and out/inbound lines that will not cope if not upgraded.
The wifi side of the NBN, probably will be outdated by the time it's released, but since I presume it will mostly be used for people in the country that just need internet here and there, it'll suffice.

[MAD]

Originally Posted by |Nate

I wish more modem/router companies did what Thompson/Bigpond do, when they ship them they have a unique key encrypted with WPA2 sent with the device.

I have an app on my phone that decrypts those factory unique codes

[|Nate]

Well damn, had no idea that existed
I guess if you have wireless in your home, and have no idea what your doing, get your family IT friend or pay someone to come set it up then.

UNLESS, the Police Wardriving would be kind enough to come in and do it for you, now that'd be service!