Greetings, reporters! We’re gonna take a little journey to the dark side today. Hopefully, we’re gonna emerge out the other end, freaked out and aware of our own mortality but more security-conscious. Ready?
There’s a free tool called Wireshark that lets you see what data is flowing back and forth over a Wifi network. That means you can flip on the switch when you’re at, say, a coffee shop, and see what other people are seeing on their computers. I’ve done it.
Now, Wireshark gives you an overwhelming tsunami of information, and most of it is encrypted – meaning you, practitioner of the dark arts, can’t see it.
And that’s a good thing. If nothing else, this should convince you to GET A VPN, so people can’t creep on you so easily.
Is Wireshark legal? Yes. Creepy? Yes. Ethical? …Probably.
My friend Tom says it’s “like putting a microphone in a public square” – except instead of catching audio, you’re catching data.
To be honest, there’s no law or SPJ code to guide you here… the technology is too new. You’ve just gotta question where your own ethical boundaries lie. But that also means there’s nothing to stop you from turning it on at, say, the Republican National Convention, is there?
I may publish something on how to actually use Wireshark – and deal with its ethical considerations – so hit me up if you’re interested. Enjoy the dark side! Don’t stray from the path! And get a VPN 🙂