Full Disclosure mailing list archives
Re: WiFi question
From: Esmond <Esmond_Kane () harvard edu>
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 15:54:03 -0500
On 10:50, Fri 19 Nov 04, Paul Schmehl wrote:
--On Thursday, November 18, 2004 09:32:27 AM -0600 Paul Schmehl <pauls () utdallas edu> wrote:--On Wednesday, November 17, 2004 12:41:44 PM -0500 "Lachniet, Mark" <mlachniet () sequoianet com> wrote:I find it hard to believe that this is possible. 2.4Ghz is the 9th harmonic. By the time you get to the 4th harmonic of a signal, even in very very noisy radiators, the strength of the harmonic component of the signal is extremely minute. And, given the fact that one of those sensors (which most likely does *not* truly operate in the 240MHz portion of the spectrum) will have a very low output (Part 15 device), the 10th harmonic of that signal will be undetectible as it will be at or below the level of background noise.
Despite your disbelief, this is basic physics and a core component of musical amplification. It may not be solely due to the device. There may be building cavities amplifying the signal. The is a radio wave we're talking about after all. Sufficient Harmonic Oscillation can result in a boosted signal or Resonance: http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/physics/u5c42phy.html
Finally, if a device managed to get past all of the improbabilities above, the chances of it *accidentally* creating a signal that looked like an 802.11 beacon packet, complete with preamble, header, etc is so off the charts as to be laughable.
Its not an accident. Cheap equipment = low quality control = no suppression and filtering.
One other thing... If that device truly was operating at 240MHz, then the first harmonic would be 480MHz. I'm pretty sure that frequency lies in the public service bands (ie fire/police). If not, its very close. Given that and the fact that the first harmonic would be much stronger than the 9th harmonic, I'm pretty sure someone in those bands would have complained loudly to the FCC as they don't take intereference issues in those bands lightly.
Eh, not only does this happen, heres a recent story on one instance: http://www.technewsworld.com/story/37435.html
Paul Schmehl (pauls () utdallas edu) Adjunct Information Security Officer The University of Texas at Dallas AVIEN Founding Member http://www.utdallas.edu _______________________________________________ Full-Disclosure - We believe in it. Charter: http://lists.netsys.com/full-disclosure-charter.html
-- Esmond Kane Sys Admin HUAM DIT _______________________________________________ Full-Disclosure - We believe in it. Charter: http://lists.netsys.com/full-disclosure-charter.html
Current thread:
- WiFi question Colin . Scott (Nov 17)
- Re: WiFi question KF_lists (Nov 17)
- Re: WiFi question GuidoZ (Nov 17)
- Re: WiFi question Dave King (Nov 17)
- <Possible follow-ups>
- RE: WiFi question Lachniet, Mark (Nov 17)
- Re: WiFi question GuidoZ (Nov 17)
- RE: WiFi question Paul Schmehl (Nov 18)
- RE: WiFi question Paul Schmehl (Nov 19)
- Re: WiFi question Esmond (Nov 19)
- RE: WiFi question Ake Nordin (Nov 21)
- RE: WiFi question Paul Schmehl (Nov 22)
- RE: WiFi question Ron DuFresne (Nov 22)
- RE: WiFi question Colin . Scott (Nov 23)