WarChalking

drnazo · 07-26-2002

Ok, I've heard a lot about War Chalking lately. I haven't seen much of it taking place in my area. I think part of the reason for that is because of the fact that I could count the number of wardrivers in colorado springs on both hands. Now, it's a nice concept but it seems to be kind of retarded.

First of all, the symbols that are being used are a bit generic. It seems that blackbeltjones might have lacked imagination on this matter.

The other thing is that chalk doesn't last too long on surfaces. I know that it would be considered defacement if you used something more permanent but it kind of defeats the purpose if the AP establishment has a marking that lasts until one rainfall.

Another thing that kind of bugs me is the fact that it attracts needless attention to wardriving. What's going to happen is people are going to be talking about this which will bring even more attention in the media which will bring paranoia and ultimately more restrictions on wardriving. It will give the ignorant majority a slight amount of knowledge which will make it hard for decent wardrivers like myself to enjoy anonymity. Face it, wouldn't it be hard to get onto a wireless network if everyone knew what you were doing that had little knowledge on the subject (i.e. Cops)?

It sounds like tons of fun like we're high tech hobos or something but I think it's something that won't catch on though.

Thorn · 07-26-2002

Quote:

Originally posted by drnazo
Ok, I've heard a lot about War Chalking lately. I haven't seen much of it taking place in my area. I think part of the reason for that is because of the fact that I could count the number of wardrivers in colorado springs on both hands. Now, it's a nice concept but it seems to be kind of retarded.

First of all, the symbols that are being used are a bit generic. It seems that blackbeltjones might have lacked imagination on this matter.

The other thing is that chalk doesn't last too long on surfaces. I know that it would be considered defacement if you used something more permanent but it kind of defeats the purpose if the AP establishment has a marking that lasts until one rainfall.

Another thing that kind of bugs me is the fact that it attracts needless attention to wardriving. What's going to happen is people are going to be talking about this which will bring even more attention in the media which will bring paranoia and ultimately more restrictions on wardriving. It will give the ignorant majority a slight amount of knowledge which will make it hard for decent wardrivers like myself to enjoy anonymity. Face it, wouldn't it be hard to get onto a wireless network if everyone knew what you were doing that had little knowledge on the subject (i.e. Cops)?

It sounds like tons of fun like we're high tech hobos or something but I think it's something that won't catch on though.

A couple of thoughts in response. All IMHO, of course.

Blackbelt Jones was at least imaginative to think of it. More than I can claim. Somewhere I believe he stated he wanted to keep the symbols simple. And I get the feeling he's as surprised as anyone as to the wide attention this is getting.

Making the symbols permanent would be vandalism in most places. IBM learned that two years ago with the fiasco of painting IBM/Linux/Tux on the sidewalks in a couple of cities.

As far as unwanted attention, it's already here. In case you didn't see the Doonesbury of last Sunday, check out that thread, or the main page at www.netstumbler.com. That was probably seen by a hell of a lot more people than have heard of WarChalking.

Finally, don't assume that cops don't know about wardriving. They do. The Mass AG's office has in the past made quite specific remarks in regards to wardriving prosecutions. That and there are more than a few street cops that understand this stuff. They deal with radio equiment all day long. Just like PC users, some never look "under the hood" but others know more than you'd think.

lincomatic · 07-26-2002

personally i think it's pretty ugly, and like you said it washes off easily. maybe a better way to do things would be to carry little sheets of plastic the size of business cards and attach them nearby. one could use a sharpie or other waterproof marker to write on them. yes, that's it...war markering.

blackwave · 07-26-2002

Quote:

Originally posted by drnazo
It sounds like tons of fun like we're high tech hobos or something but I think it's something that won't catch on though.

I take it as being more phun than anything. Anyone with any type of skill set would automatically be able to find an AP without the warchalking symbols.

In fact I was a meet yesterday and a laptop user wanted to know if there was an open ap around, so I pulled out my ministumbler rig from my fanny pack and did a quick scan... nothing found... though if there was would it have been warchalked ? hmmmm....

also it is getting so much publicity from the media, that even if it doesn't catch on, this does not stop the masses from believing that it is catching on.

... and to a lot of people that is what really matters.

lincomatic · 07-26-2002

Quote:

Originally posted by blackwave
I take it as being more phun than anything. Anyone with any type of skill set would automatically be able to find an AP without the warchalking symbols.

that's a really good point. i've been looking for a better way to bash this dorky foolish idea which has gotten way too much attention...don't know why that didn't occur to me.

drnazo · 07-27-2002

The word of wardriving is catching on but not as quickly as one would expect. The more wireless security is made public, the more restrictions we will have on it. We will end up appearing to the public as high tech thugs rather then curious wireless geeks.

07-26-2002	#1 (permalink)
drnazo I'm special Join Date: May 2002 Location: CO / Springs Posts: 29	WarChalking Ok, I've heard a lot about War Chalking lately. I haven't seen much of it taking place in my area. I think part of the reason for that is because of the fact that I could count the number of wardrivers in colorado springs on both hands. Now, it's a nice concept but it seems to be kind of retarded. First of all, the symbols that are being used are a bit generic. It seems that blackbeltjones might have lacked imagination on this matter. The other thing is that chalk doesn't last too long on surfaces. I know that it would be considered defacement if you used something more permanent but it kind of defeats the purpose if the AP establishment has a marking that lasts until one rainfall. Another thing that kind of bugs me is the fact that it attracts needless attention to wardriving. What's going to happen is people are going to be talking about this which will bring even more attention in the media which will bring paranoia and ultimately more restrictions on wardriving. It will give the ignorant majority a slight amount of knowledge which will make it hard for decent wardrivers like myself to enjoy anonymity. Face it, wouldn't it be hard to get onto a wireless network if everyone knew what you were doing that had little knowledge on the subject (i.e. Cops)? It sounds like tons of fun like we're high tech hobos or something but I think it's something that won't catch on though.

07-26-2002	#3 (permalink)
lincomatic Squaaawk! WiFi! WiFi! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Tinsel Town Posts: 1,682	personally i think it's pretty ugly, and like you said it washes off easily. maybe a better way to do things would be to carry little sheets of plastic the size of business cards and attach them nearby. one could use a sharpie or other waterproof marker to write on them. yes, that's it...war markering. __________________ ~lincomatic

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07-27-2002	#6 (permalink)
drnazo I'm special Join Date: May 2002 Location: CO / Springs Posts: 29	The word of wardriving is catching on but not as quickly as one would expect. The more wireless security is made public, the more restrictions we will have on it. We will end up appearing to the public as high tech thugs rather then curious wireless geeks.