iOS 8 randomises the MAC address while scanning for WiFi networks
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Re: iOS 8 randomises the MAC address while scanning for WiFi networks
#2This is Apple forcing the in-store analytics companies like Euclid to use iBeacon rather than WiFi. With the market share numbers the way they are, though, for all but the highest-end stores what Android does matters more.
Re: iOS 8 randomises the MAC address while scanning for WiFi networks
#3This is Apple forcing the in-store analytics companies like Euclid to use iBeacon rather than WiFi. With the market share numbers the way they are, though, for all but the highest-end stores what Android does matters more.
Yeah, I would guess that you'd get a pretty good sample without any iOS8 devices included.
It's still a good thing IMO.
Re: iOS 8 randomises the MAC address while scanning for WiFi networks
#4This is Apple forcing the in-store analytics companies like Euclid to use iBeacon rather than WiFi. With the market share numbers the way they are, though, for all but the highest-end stores what Android does matters more.
Despite this it does allow apple to enable customers to choose by turning bluetooth on/off, and not forcing them to disable wifi to avoid tracking (am I a minority that have bluetooth off by default?).
Re: iOS 8 randomises the MAC address while scanning for WiFi networks
#5I hope it still connects with the real MAC address. Otherwise that could get very problematic.
Re: iOS 8 randomises the MAC address while scanning for WiFi networks
#6If this becomes the trend (which in my opinon would be nice) it will become a big problem for companies that specialise in customer tracking e.g. for supermarkets and big department stores. Previously it was quite easy to track a customer, how long he or she spends time in the store, which floors he or she visits, etc. by putting up dummy WiFI-networks that the customers phones find by giving out their MAC-addresses.
Re: iOS 8 randomises the MAC address while scanning for WiFi networks
#7If this becomes the trend (which in my opinon would be nice) it will become a big problem for companies that specialise in customer tracking e.g. for supermarkets and big department stores. Previously it was quite easy to track a customer, how long he or she spends time in the store, which floors he or she visits, etc. by putting up dummy WiFI-networks that the customers phones find by giving out their MAC-addresses.
What stops them from switching to tracking via the hardware address of the cellular radio?
Re: iOS 8 randomises the MAC address while scanning for WiFi networks
#8It's about time. I quite intentionally keep my wifi mode off for this reason until I intend to use a network. No doubt someone is tracking and selling every transmission you make.
FWIW, once you read about a PoC of an attack/tracking vector on HackaDay, you can be sure it's already in production tracking you.
http://www.tomsguide.com/us/how-to-bluesniper-pt1,review-408...
https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2008/04/tracking_vehi...
Re: iOS 8 randomises the MAC address while scanning for WiFi networks
#9I hope it still connects with the real MAC address. Otherwise that could get very problematic.
Why is that? The only good use that comes to mind is MAC filtering, and that's easily defeated anyways.
Re: iOS 8 randomises the MAC address while scanning for WiFi networks
#10I hope it still connects with the real MAC address. Otherwise that could get very problematic.
They could make it optional, but having such a technical option wouldn't be Apple's style. Perhaps it could generate a new random MAC address for each saved network, which would be thrown away when you use the 'Forget network' command.