The blog post encourages readers to experiment with a provided Python script that demonstrates how easily location can be estimated using publicly available Wi-Fi network data and the Wigle.net API. By inputting the BSSIDs (unique identifiers) of nearby Wi-Fi networks, even without connecting to them, the script queries Wigle.net and returns a surprisingly accurate location estimate. The post highlights the privacy implications of this accessible technology, emphasizing how readily available information about wireless networks can be used to pinpoint someone's location with a simple script, regardless of whether location services are enabled on a device. This reinforces the previous post's message about the pervasiveness of location tracking.
Apple's proprietary peer-to-peer Wi-Fi protocol, AWDL, offered high bandwidth and low latency, enabling features like AirDrop and AirPlay. However, its reliance on the 5 GHz band clashed with regulatory changes in the EU mandating standardized Wi-Fi Direct for peer-to-peer connections in that spectrum. This effectively forced Apple to abandon AWDL in the EU, impacting performance and user experience for local device interactions. While Apple has adopted Wi-Fi Direct for compliance, the article argues it's a less efficient solution, highlighting the trade-off between regulatory standardization and optimized technological performance.
HN commenters largely agree that the EU's regulatory decisions regarding Wi-Fi channels have hampered Apple's AWDL protocol, negatively impacting performance for features like AirDrop and AirPlay. Some point out that Android's nearby share functionality suffers similar issues, further illustrating the broader problem of regulatory limitations stifling local device communication. A few highlight the irony of the EU pushing for interoperability while simultaneously creating barriers with these regulations. Others suggest technical workarounds Apple could explore, while acknowledging the difficulty of navigating these regulations. Several express frustration with the EU's approach, viewing it as hindering innovation and user experience.
This project introduces an open-source, fully functional Wi-Fi MAC layer implementation for the ESP32 microcontroller. It aims to provide a flexible and customizable alternative to the ESP32's closed-source MAC, enabling experimentation and research in areas like custom protocols, coexistence mechanisms, and dynamic spectrum access. The project leverages the ESP32's existing RF capabilities and integrates with its lower-level hardware, providing a complete solution for building and deploying custom Wi-Fi systems. The open nature of the project encourages community contributions and allows for tailoring the MAC layer to specific application requirements beyond the capabilities of the standard ESP32 SDK.
Hacker News commenters generally expressed excitement and interest in the open-source ESP32 Wi-Fi MAC layer project. Several praised the author's deep dive into the complexities of Wi-Fi and the effort involved in reverse-engineering undocumented features. Some questioned the project's practicality and licensing implications, particularly regarding regulatory compliance and potential conflicts with existing Wi-Fi stacks. Others discussed the potential benefits, including educational value, enabling custom protocols, and improving performance in specific niche applications like mesh networking. A few commenters also offered suggestions for future development, such as exploring FPGA implementations or integrating with existing open-source projects like Zephyr.
This blog post details the author's successful, yet extremely tight, implementation of a full Wi-Fi networking stack (including TLS) on the memory-constrained nRF9160. Using the Zephyr RTOS, they managed to squeeze in lwIP, mbedTLS, and other necessary components, leaving only about 1KB of RAM free. This required careful configuration and optimization, particularly within lwIP, to minimize memory usage without sacrificing essential functionality. The author highlights the challenges of working with the nRF9160's limited resources and shares specific configuration adjustments, such as reducing TCP window size and disabling IPv6, that enabled them to achieve a working Wi-Fi connection. The post serves as a practical demonstration of pushing the boundaries of what's possible on this resource-constrained platform.
Hacker News users discussed the challenges and ingenuity of fitting a full Wi-Fi stack onto the resource-constrained nRF9161. Several commenters expressed admiration for the author's accomplishment, highlighting the difficulty of working with such limited resources. Some questioned the practical applications, given the nRF9161's integrated cellular modem and the availability of smaller, cheaper Wi-Fi microcontrollers. Others suggested potential uses like captive portals or bridging between cellular and local networks. The Zephyr RTOS was mentioned as a contributing factor to the project's success due to its small footprint. One commenter shared their experience with similar memory constraints on embedded systems and offered debugging advice. The discussion also briefly touched on the implications of this achievement for IoT devices and the potential for further development in low-resource Wi-Fi applications.
Summary of Comments ( 50 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43716704
Hacker News users generally agreed with the article's premise, expressing concern over the ease with which location can be approximated or even precisely determined using readily available data and relatively simple techniques. Several commenters shared their own experiences replicating the author's methods, often with similar success in pinpointing locations. Some highlighted the chilling implications for privacy, particularly in light of data breaches and the potential for malicious actors to exploit this vulnerability. A few offered suggestions for mitigating the risk, such as VPN usage or scrutinizing browser extensions, while others debated the feasibility and effectiveness of such measures. Some questioned the novelty of the findings, pointing to prior discussions on similar topics, while others emphasized the importance of continued awareness and education about these privacy risks.
The Hacker News post titled "Everyone knows your location, Part 2: try it yourself and share the results" generated a moderate amount of discussion with a mix of reactions and insights related to the original article's claims about location tracking.
Several commenters shared their own experiences attempting the location tracking techniques described in the article, with varying degrees of success. Some reported being able to pinpoint locations with surprising accuracy, while others found the methods less effective or inconsistent. This led to a discussion about the reliability and practicality of these techniques in real-world scenarios.
A key point of discussion revolved around the ethical implications of readily accessible location tracking methods. Commenters debated the potential for misuse and the need for greater awareness and control over personal location data. Some argued for stricter regulations and increased transparency from companies collecting and utilizing location information.
Technical details of the tracking methods were also examined. Commenters discussed the specifics of IP address geolocation, WiFi positioning, and other techniques, including their limitations and potential vulnerabilities. Some commenters with expertise in networking and security offered insights into the accuracy and feasibility of these methods, pointing out factors that could influence the results.
The conversation touched upon the trade-offs between convenience and privacy in the context of location-based services. Commenters acknowledged the benefits of location services for navigation, personalized recommendations, and other applications, but also expressed concerns about the potential for surveillance and data breaches.
Some commenters also discussed potential mitigations and defenses against unwanted location tracking. Suggestions included using VPNs, disabling location services on devices, and being mindful of the permissions granted to apps.
Finally, a few commenters questioned the overall novelty of the information presented in the article, suggesting that the methods described were already well-known within the security and privacy community. However, they acknowledged the value in raising public awareness about these issues and making them accessible to a wider audience.