The advances in technology has its advantages but there are downsides too, such as the ability for sneaky wireless intruders to spy on you. Google Glass, drones, security cams and other types of spy devices can easily snoop on you without your knowledge and if that is something that annoys or worries you, you might want to know about Cyborg Unplug.
Cyborg Unplug
Cyborg Unplug is an anti wireless surveillance system or in other words a type of portable router that is capable of detecting spy devices, surveillance equipment, mobile tech like Google Glass and others that can access your local Wi-Fi network. Its no larger than a laptop charger and plugs into a wall to survey your local WiFi network for possible intruders.
Cyborg Unplug works by sniffing out a hardware signature that manufacturers assign to every WiFi device, a signature that searches and detects WiFi networks to connect to. When Cyborg Unplug detects a device, an alarm is triggered by way of LED flash light, an audio sound (through connected speakers), or as a message via an Android app. If the device happens to belong to a network that Cyborg Unplug is optimized to protect against it will send out a stream of ‘de-authentication’ signals to disconnect it. The owner of the router won’t have to take any special action in this regard.
The Cyborg Unplug website claims that it is perfectly legal to block any device from a network you own or administer. This is actually similar to what certain WiFi routers allow you to do in terms of creating blacklists, the only difference is that it takes a direct action by detecting and disconnecting devices automatically.
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Cyborg Unplug cannot stop anyone from taking photos or videos. However, it can only stop them from streaming what they record to a device or service on the Internet. Also the router is not designed for networks that are password protected, but rather for those public networks used by many people in parks, at the library, at cafes and so on.
Cyborg Unplug Modes
Cyborg Unplug features two modes a Territory mode, which defends the users own network and an All Out mode, which can detect and disconnect devices on any network it connects to, even tethered connections to phones. The latter can only be used at your risk as it may be illegal to do so in your country or region. The company states “”We take no responsibility for the trouble you get yourself into if you choose to deploy your Cyborg Unplug in this mode.”
Users should not mistake the router to be a jammer that blocks all digital signals in a particular area. This router can only detect devices that is already predetermined by the user. For instance, you may own a Google Glass and may want the router to permit you to use the device while you may want certain microphones or spy cams to be disconnected.
Cyborg Unplug is the brainchild of Julian Oliver, an engineer and artist from New Zealand. You may also know him as the guy who built the glasshole.sh web script that can identify Google Glass and shove it off from local computer networks.
The device will initially ship to the EU, UK and US. It will be available in 2 models Little Snipper and The Axe and based on functionality will be priced between $50 and $100. If you are interested in Cyborg Unplug, you can preorder it on September 30th here.
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