WiGLE: Huge WiFi Networks Geolocation Map

wigle.net

24 points·bjoko··10 comments

For some reason I feel violated that it shows my wifi network's name and mac.

It's public information to any device that has been in the vicinity.

Yes, I know that. But still a weird feeling.

You should probably be more freaked out by your phone. It collects this data by default and sends it to Google or Apple. I think that Google still has an API for querying their database.

For me, that’s something like “linksys” and AA:AA:AA:AA:AA...

Feel free to steal my config.

The more the merrier.

You may want to change "linksys" to something slightly less common:

https://www.lifewire.com/is-your-wireless-networks-name-a-se...

https://wigle.net/stats#ssidstats

My final project for undergrad used this service along with WiFi packets sniffed from coffee shops to show the privacy implications of leaving WiFi on in public.

Since phones/laptops send packets containing the SSID of saved networks it is possible to locate home/workplace of a device, assuming the networks at those locations have a somewhat unique SSID.

From that perspective, I'd say a common SSID is better to have than something unique.

They only send SSIDs of ‘hidden’ networks. There is no reason to send SSIDs of normal visible networks because they are visible if you need to connect.

Instead of stealing, I'd say forking. Thanks for the idea! ;)

WiGLE is nearly 20 years old. Your wifi network's name and mac has likely been public info for nearly that long.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WiGLE

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