How to Opt Out of Google's Wi-Fi Network Mapping
Don't want your Wi-Fi network mapped by Google? Just add the "_nomap" tag to the SSID of your access point and/or router.
On Monday, Google said that wireless access point and router owners can now option out of having their wireless network included in the Google Location Server. All they need to do is change the wireless network name (or SSID) so that it ends with "_nomap." That means if you're one of the millions who use "linksys" as a network name, it will now need to read "linksys_nomap" to avoid Google's Wi-Fi network mapping.
"As we explored different approaches for opting-out access points from the Google Location Server, we found that a method based on wireless network names provides the right balance of simplicity as well as protection against abuse," said Peter Fleischer, Global Privacy Counsel for Google. "Specifically, this approach helps protect against others opting out your access point without your permission."
The solution might not be reasonable for everyone. Google is asking Wi-Fi network administrators, whether they're public networks or located in the home, to manually change their network's SSID name. The task of actually renaming the SSID isn't a big deal for experienced users, and re-connecting Wi-Fi devices to the re-named network may take a few annoying minutes. But what about those who simply hook up their router and move on to other things? Or those who really have no knowledge of setting the proper security or changing the SSID? Some users don't even broadcast an SSID on purpose.
Thus, the idea of asking everyone to change their network's ID on behalf of Google is simply preposterous, outlandish. "99-percent of the people who will want to do this will have absolutely no idea what [changing the SSID] means," rants MG Siegler. "I mean, [Google's] entire post is a joke, right? Please tell me this is a joke."
Yet it's no joke, and Google is hoping that the "_nomap" tag will be adopted by all location providers, not just Google. "Because other location providers will also be able to observe these opt-outs, we hope that over time the '_nomap' string will be adopted universally," Fleischer said. "This would help benefit all users by providing everyone with a unified opt-out process regardless of location provider."
Google came under fire when it was recently discovered that Google's Street View cars were not only taking photos of neighborhoods, but "mistakenly" collecting street addresses, Wi-Fi router SSIDs, MAC addresses, unencrypted passwords and even email addresses. Google quickly halted the collection of personal data, but continued to pick up the unique MACs, SSIDs and physical addresses of Wi-Fi access points and routers.
But now owners of access points and Wi-Fi routers can remove their devices from Google's Location Server using the "_nomap" SSID tag. Once that's changed, the next time a Wi-Fi enabled device like an Android smartphone or tablet tries to use the network to fix its location, Google's Location Server will take note of the SSID and remove its information... so Google claims.
Changing the SSID is rather simple: just hook up to the network via an Ethernet connection and log onto the router or access point (typically 192.168.1.1 or something similar) via a browser. The wireless network name (SSID) is typically changed under the Wireless section. Just add "_nomap" and hit apply, and the device will reboot using the new name. Now you just need to reconnect your wireless devices to the "New" Wi-Fi network (and delete the old one to avoid confusion).
IMO, a better option would be to allow users to opt-in. "linksys_mapme" or something.
I have a Wii,PSP 3000,laptop,two desktops and family who all have my SSID set
Now because of Google I have to go thru the trouble of changing my SSID!!! WTF
this isnt a five minute thing to do
this is work
and I shouldnt have to do it
how about yes_map if you want to be on the Google wifi map
make it so if you want this done then you do the change
if you dont want this done then you do nothing
this is the whole reason I removed Google Earth and Google Chrome
they are annoying and intrusive with all their background services
even now I still have a Google update service run on my main Win7 rig
that even using msconfig and manage-services I can f-ing get rid of!
this is ridiculous
why should I have to take time to opt out of something
it should be if you want to opt in you have to do something
Google is lame
IMO, a better option would be to allow users to opt-in. "linksys_mapme" or something.
oh wait, google is the giant corporation that mines loads of data and stores them for personal gain. users are once again the losers.
the government should step in and make google to comply with privacy laws like germany and other countries did (afaik).
I have a Wii,PSP 3000,laptop,two desktops and family who all have my SSID set
Now because of Google I have to go thru the trouble of changing my SSID!!! WTF
this isnt a five minute thing to do
this is work
and I shouldnt have to do it
how about yes_map if you want to be on the Google wifi map
make it so if you want this done then you do the change
if you dont want this done then you do nothing
this is the whole reason I removed Google Earth and Google Chrome
they are annoying and intrusive with all their background services
even now I still have a Google update service run on my main Win7 rig
that even using msconfig and manage-services I can f-ing get rid of!
this is ridiculous
why should I have to take time to opt out of something
it should be if you want to opt in you have to do something
Google is lame
People that don't know how to do that really don't care about it. Even people that do know how to do that do not care; yes, my SSD might be associated with an approximated location on the map. So, what? Besides giving me a faster update in location-related services that I use, which is an advantage, I do not see a threat in this.
I am usually pretty sensitive when it comes to personal information, but this is not something that I would consider intrusive. People that could associate me personally to that SSID are people that know me, like my neighbors, and these people already know where I live. AFAIK, if someone passes down the street and uses a location-based service, and he is getting that location based on some data on Google's servers that know where he is because of the nearby SSIDs, that does not mean that individual knows what SSID the servers got the info from, nor can he associate me with a certain SSID. He might not even have WiFi enabled at that time, and even if he did, no matter; my network is encrypted.
This re-naming SSID business is useless: if you whip out your phone and sniff some SSIDs around, you will be able to see them even after the name change. That does not mean you will be able to log in those networks, unless they're left open. Conversely, if your phone gets the location based on the SSID datamap from the server, you will never know that for sure, it does it in the background.
The argument with the businesses is even sillier: they are public entities, and could not care less about this whole thing. Certainly, they would hope this will put them "on the map" somehow, but it doesn't.
In short google is screwing everyone. Even if you are not directly using their "services" you are still are effected.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrontojPWEE The Google Toilet
Also this is whats next for google....... " Google Street will not use X-rays to see whats in your house making it easier to identify your home from Google Maps"
airwaves off our property are public, no? streets are public. i can turn down the power of my ap if i don't want the signal extending past the boundaries of my property. i can not broadcast my ssid.
i honestly can't think of anything malicious that could be done with this information that wouldn't warrant legal action.
Why?
What the hell good will this do to ANYBODY to know where the wifi spots are?
And even if the answer is "to find somebody else's wireless internet" then don't you need to be on the 'net in the first place to access this?
Stupid and useless, at least streetview made sense.
yeah, OS'es are supposed to remember the connection, but if they disconnect, remove the connection, get bugged, etc etc, then what?
Plain and simple this whole operation makes no sense.