Free Wi-Fi! Citywide! ...At what cost though?

Status
Not open for further replies.

Mateotis

Level 10
Thread author
Verified
Well-known
Mar 28, 2014
497
170-free-wifi-image-courtesy-of-shutterstock.jpg


The UK city of York plans to roll out, citywide, the sweet, sweet candy of free Wi-Fi.

All you have to do to get it is to roll over and expose your personal data's tender underbelly.

After that, just sit back, buckle up, and let the marketing blitz begin!

In an interview with the BBC, Roy Grant, CIO for the City of York Council, said that the free service has only been up and running for a few weeks, but already, his team can discern such choice data nuggets as:

  • Who's using the Wi-Fi;
  • Where they're coming from, in terms of origin; and
  • Where they're going.
Businesses are already getting a better insight into footfall, he said - as in, how much time do you and your MAC address-leaking mobile phone spend in front of discounted tube socks, for example, and do you or do you not head to the gym shortly thereafter?

MAC addresses - or Media Access Control addresses - are unique, factory-set IDs in devices that connect to networks.

They can be tinkered with via software, but generally they're not, so they're stable enough to be thought of as a permanent ID that lasts for the lifetime of the device.

When your phone has Wi-Fi switched on, it will search for Wi-Fi networks: a process that involves sending a wireless broadcast that includes the device's MAC address.

Read more...
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

About us

  • MalwareTips is a community-driven platform providing the latest information and resources on malware and cyber threats. Our team of experienced professionals and passionate volunteers work to keep the internet safe and secure. We provide accurate, up-to-date information and strive to build a strong and supportive community dedicated to cybersecurity.

User Menu

Follow us

Follow us on Facebook or Twitter to know first about the latest cybersecurity incidents and malware threats.

Top