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Anti-wi-fi paint will make it harder to scam free Internet
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a paint that blocks wifi signals. So if a room is painted with this stuff, only computers inside the room would be able to pick up a wireless signal originating there. At a projected cost of £10 ($16) a kilo, the paint would be a cheap way of keeping hackers and moochers from using your wireless to download dodgy files.
The paint is infused with an aluminum-iron oxide that blocks all radio signals at 100Ghz, the frequency at which wifi transmits.
As ingenious as this sounds, there are a couple of downsides. First, it won't protect the user from online threats, and of more importance to travelers, it will stop people from scamming free Internet while on the go. In Madrid I can go to my local park, pop open my laptop, and surf the Internet on somebody else's euro. I can do this in many other European capitals too. With all the new costs being added to airline tickets, it would be a shame if this travel freebie were to disappear.
Perhaps we should tell the nice folks at the University of Tokyo "thanks but no thanks"? Anybody know how to say that in Japanese?
Filed under: Asia, Japan, Internet Tools, News
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Howard Oct 3rd 2009 5:53PM
"The paint is infused with an aluminum-iron oxide that blocks all radio signals at 100Ghz, the frequency at which wifi transmits."
What? WiFi at 100GHz? I only know about WiFi utilizes in the 2GHz and 5GHz range.
msabag Oct 7th 2009 6:06PM
Er, um. Spend more money on special paint or type in a password on my router. Wow, tough call.
Ron Oct 19th 2009 3:15AM
Okay GREAT paint. I need it to block out the cell transmissions that are frying my brain in my house. I have 70 transmitters within a few miles of my home & they are cooking me 24 hours a day. I really need this paint. Where can I purchase it NOW ??
Ron
Kendra Smith Nov 22nd 2010 2:45PM
This is a really interesting development. Has anyone heard any CertaPro complaints from this painting company? There are a lot of things posted on the internet and I wanted to know your thoughts.