Jun 4, 2006

Will WarDrive for Work

Sometimes when you travel you end up couch-surfing. On a recent trip I needed to check in at work and for some reason couldn't use my laptop on my friend's connection. And I really didn't want to use his computer. For one thing, I don't type on the QWERTY keyboard, so I can't use some random computer. And for another thing I really only like my own stuff. I'm like that.

So we went WarDriving. And parked outside a Paneira Bakery so I could download my email and check a few quick feeds.

I've done this across the USA. Chain hotels are good places to at least park at and try to tap a line, as well as JiffyLubes, some McDonalds and - more and more often - any old highway truck stop or rest area. I've done this in affluent suburban neighborhoods. It's not stealing - many people leave their WIFI connections open in the spirit of sharing free Internet with people who need it. Just be a good soul and don't abuse the priviledge. No hacking.

Just a caution - I would say that WarDriving in a neigborhood can be chancy. A few people have been arrested for such. No one has been convicted - yet. Personally I don't think anyone who has unsecured WiFi has a case for prosecution; that would be like someone playing their music real loud next door but telling you not to listen. Basically, if you don't want to share, secure your waves. Otherwise, thank you for sharing.

Wondering where the name WarDriving comes from? Remember the classic film War Games? War Dialing was coined right there and then. Go rent it again. :-)

Read the Wired News article on finding WIFI signals - Stalking the Wild Wi-Fi Network.