Privacy

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A place to discuss privacy and freedom in the digital world.

Privacy has become a very important issue in modern society, with companies and governments constantly abusing their power, more and more people are waking up to the importance of digital privacy.

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On a typical Linux distro, what information do WiFi access points get when you search for and use another AP? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 4 days ago by comfy@lemmy.ml to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

21 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Let's say, I sit down in a mall, open my laptop and connect to a secured mobile hotspot. Then I do it again next week after a reboot. What information would a nearby shop or a passive malicious hacker be able to find about my device? Does my device send out identifying information before joining, like a MAC address? Is this persistent, or randomized?

I intentionally haven't specified a distro, so if something only applies to some network managers, give some details.

Bonus points: what about Android phones?

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[–] RodgeGrabTheCat@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Mine connects if I don't turn off WiFi in the phone settings. Not sure why yours isn't.

[–] kwarg@mander.xyz 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

probably bc im stupid and didnt realize I have set it to turn wifi off automatically if it stays disconnected from any router for 10min

[–] RodgeGrabTheCat@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Forgetting something doesn't make you stupid.

[–] kwarg@mander.xyz 2 points 3 days ago

very kind of you, thank you :)