This letter is from last month but we haven't covered it on Politech
before. Read it carefully: The FBI claims that using an open 802.11
access point without explicit authorization may be a federal crime
("theft of services").
-Declan
---
From: Bill Shore [mailto:billshoreat_private]
Sent: Monday, July 08, 2002 9:56 AM
To: billshoreat_private
Subject: Wireless networks - Warchalking/Wardriving
It has recently been brought to my attention that
individuals/groups have been actively working in the Pittsburgh area
as well as other areas of the United States including Philadelphia,
and Boston, and the rest of the world for that matter, to identify
locations where wireless networks are implemented. This is done by a
technique identified as "Wardriving." Wardriving is accomplished by
driving around in a vehicle using a laptop computer equipped with
appropriate hardware and software http://www.netstumbler.com/ to
identify wireless networks used in commercial and/or residential
areas. Upon identifying a wireless network, the access point can be
marked with a coded symbol, or "warchalked." This symbol will alert
others of the presence of a wireless network. The network can then be
accessed with the proper equipment and utilized by the individual(s)
to access the Internet, download email, and potentially compromise
your systems. In Pittsburgh, the individuals are essentially
attempting to map the entire city to identify the wireless access
points, see here,
http://mapserver.zhrodague.net/cgi-
bin/mapserv?mode=browse&layer=all&layer=q
uadsheets&layer=borough&layer=roads&layer=ap&zoomdir=1&zoomsize=2&imgxy=458+
165&imgext=-80.175489+40.268422+-79.733217+40.621536&map=%2Fmnt%2Fhog%2Fwebs
ites%2Fmapserver%2Fpublic_html%2Fpa%2Fpgh.map&savequery=true&program=%2Fcgi-
bin%2Fmapserv&map_web_imagepath=%2Fmnt%2Fhog%2Fwebsites%2Fmapserver%2Fpublic
_html%2Ftmp%2F&map_web_imageurl=%2Ftmp%2F&img.x=250&img.y=197.
Also, check this article from pghwireless.com,
http://www.pghwireless.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=19
Identifying the presence of a wireless network may not be a
criminal violation, however, there may be criminal violations if the
network is actually accessed including theft of services, interception
of communications, misuse of computing resources, up to and including
violations of the Federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Statute, Theft of
Trade Secrets, and other federal violations. At this point, I am not
aware of any malicious activity that has been reported to the FBI here
in Pittsburgh, however, you are cautioned regarding this activity if
you have implemented a wireless network in your business. You are
also highly encouraged to implement appropriate wireless security
practices to protect your information assets,
http://www.cert.org/research/isw/isw2001/papers/Kabara-31-08.pdf
There are several articles available with additional details
including http://www.warchalking.org as well as
http://www.pghwireless.com. A copy of the coding symbols is attached
in .pdf format. If you notice these symbols at your place of
business, it is likely your network has been identified publicly.
If you believe you may have been compromised or if you have
any questions regarding this activity, you are encouraged to contact
the appropriate law enforcement agency. The FBI office in Pittsburgh
and High Tech Crimes Task Force can be contacted at 412-432-4000.
<<warchalk.pdf>>
Bill Shore
Special Agent
FBI-Pittsburgh
3311 East Carson Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
412-432-4395
billshoreat_private
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