WiFi circa the 19th century.
This is not quite what it sounds like, so to speak. But still worth noting.
According to a BBC story, neighbors are getting down right vindictive and hoaxing in the names they choose for their WiFi networks. Those names pop up on other people’s nearby WiFi-connected computer menus. In some cases, the labels communicate a “shut up” type message to, say, fellow building dwellers who don’t know how to keep the music down. In others, the word play is a bit more prurient.
Some common names noted by OpenSignalMaps, a company that keeps a database of network handles:
-
- We can hear you having sex
- Stop having so much sex
- Stop wearing heals
- Stop slamming the door
- Shut up
- Stop shouting
- You’re music is annoying (to which someone replied via a new WiFi name, Your grammar is more annoying)
- Terror network
- Virus detected shutting down
And then there are names intended to tell WiFi moochers to “keep your hands off”:
-
- Stop stealing my paper
- Go away don’t steal my broadband
- Thou shalt not steal
- Covet not thy neighbor’s wi-fi
Now that we’ve circled back to sex, let’s leave the name game there. Meanwhile, safe computing!
Image: “Eavesdropping” by Vittorio Reggianini, from Wikimedia via Sotheby’s.
