Software that generates a blizzard of bogus wireless network access points could bamboozle hackers trying to access corporate and home computer networks.
This would stop them stealing wireless surfing time and exploring corporate wireless networks, say the two US computer programmers behind the scheme.
It would certainly complicate matters for most wireless assailants, says one security expert. But the extra challenge may well spur some on to improve their attack methods, he adds.
Advertisement
Wireless network hacking has become an increasingly popular activity in the last few years. Networks have sprung up across cities and many are vulnerable to well-documented holes in their default set-ups.
Software tools that can be downloaded for free from the internet, such as Netstumbler and Kismet, automatically search the airwaves for vulnerable networks. The practice of travelling around a city searching for networks to exploit has been dubbed 鈥渨ardriving鈥�.
Breaking in
Fake AP (Access Point) aims to stop would-be hackers by generating 53,000 bogus wireless access points in the vicinity of the one real access point. Only those with access rights will then be able to distinguish quickly the real point of entry through this airwave camouflage.
The program was developed by Stuart Stock and Ken Beames, two computer programmers in the US. In the program documentation the pair write: 鈥淲ardriving tools will see thousands of APs pop up on their screens. While more knowledgeable individuals will spot these fake APs for what they are, those with less clue will be generally befuddled.鈥�
Matt Bevan, a wireless security consultant in the UK and himself ex-hacker, says anything that hides a wireless access point will help but adds that some determined hackers might relish the extra challenge.
鈥淚鈥檓 sure it wouldn鈥檛 take too long to write something to check each access point quickly,鈥� he told 快猫短视频. 鈥淎nd you might find that people find it more of a challenge.鈥�