Queensland Police Launch Initiative against Wi-Fi ‘Wardrivers’
In a recent development, Queensland police spoke about their wireless network protection campaign, under which they have plans to search for and identify open networks in their area. The proposed action has been taken in response to the problem of wardrivers, who are the people actively engaged in aiding piggybackers by searching and collecting data about open network connections.
The police are keen on finding unsecured networks and trying to curtail any attempt at piggybacking by informing the owners of wireless routers and cautioning them about the risks involved in neglecting the safety of their wireless network devices (for mobile broadband information, advice and offers click on mobile broadband pay as you go).
Detective Superintendent Brian Hay of the Queensland Police, who was honoured with a McAfee International Cybercrime Fighter Award recently, told iTnews that the campaign is simple, being similar to past police campaigns to check car thefts. In those campaigns, officers checked upon cars in railway stations to see whether they had been locked or not, and if a car was found unlocked, they would leave a note cautioning the owners of the dangers of leaving a car without securing it.
He also said that the scheme, which addresses an issue that is rapidly becoming one of great importance, is not expected to increase the burden on taxpayers, as it needs minimal resources for implementation. He also said that the scheme would be effectuated by picking out a particular area, scanning the environment, pinpointing unsecure networks, informing their owners, and then promoting the means to address the issue through the media.