[Cialug] _nomap for wireless networks

[Zachary Kotlarek]

On Nov 15, 2011, at 10:21 AM, Barry Von Ahsen wrote:

>> Does Google intentionally exclude networks that don't include an SSID in the beacon frame? I was under the impression that they map by BS MAC, which is available in almost every broadcast frame and (at least theoretically) globally unique.
> 
> I have no idea, I'd assume they only collect broadcast SSIDs.  passive capture, IMHO, would be bordering on evil :)


The could still limit themselves to beacon frames (though I doubt they did -- I wouldn't if I was building their system). On typical APs the "Don't broadcast SSID" flag simply sets the SSID to null in the beacon frame, but the beacon frame is still sent and still includes the BS MAC, so you're still sending network advertisements.

The SSID-hiding trick is not a feature of the WiFi protocol and doesn't change its basic behavior. It works under the assumption that clients will only display networks for which a non-null SSID is known, and/or that if the null-named network is disabled they won't be able to associate. But if you're just looking to see who is running a network and not actually trying to use it hiding the SSID does nothing; Google would have to actually send an association request to your AP in order to determine whether you simply had not set an SSID or if you where trying to hide it.

	Zach

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