Hidden device distorts news on wireless networks (with technical details) | Hacker News Reader

Hidden device distorts news on wireless networks (with technical details)

hackaday.com

75 pointsszx10 comments

I'm enjoying one of the comments on HaD, along the lines of "Let's configure it to tell the truth."

That's probably the most disruptive way you could use the thing.

Also, cross-injecting articles from sources of opposing bias could be a winner as well.

EDIT: Direct link to (very elaborate) build guide: http://newstweek.com/howto

Can anyone comment on the legality of packet manipulation? What if you own the source providing the internet connection?

IANAL, but:

Look up the "California Internet Trespass Law" for a start.

Among other things, anyone tampering with data on a network faces a criminal conviction.

Also, check out point from the state of Arizona: http://www.azleg.state.az.us/ars/13/02316.htm

"Accessing, altering, damaging or destroying any computer, computer system or network, or any part of a computer, computer system or network, with the intent to devise or execute any scheme or artifice to defraud or deceive, or to control property or services by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations or promises."

I think it would be safe to say this would be considered illegal in many places for a multitude of reasons.

Would probably break the FCC 'will not interfere and will accept interference' thing for unlicensed devices.

No mention of encrypted networks, so I'm assuming it only works on open, non-password protected network?

link to previous discussion on HN: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2080963

one of the commenters claimed it would work (though they thought the whole thing was a joke at the time)

I'd like to have it replace the word "piracy" in articles with "copyright infringement". I think that would lead to a more balanced discussion.

Can you guys think of other words like that?

Somali copyright infringers?

The fact that we now have actual pirates in the news from month to month alongside copyright infringers does raise the stakes for those who want to stop calling infringement "piracy".

I think the far worse Orwellization is using "theft" for copyright infringement.

Love this idea. I actually had a similar idea a few months ago, but was planning to implement it as an email and web proxy that could be surreptitiously installed on someone's computer.

Rather than news sites, my proxy would tone down political vitriol and jingoism. I want to have it ready in time for the 2012 election season.

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