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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 6 months ago by to c/privacy@lemmy.ml
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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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[–] 7 points 6 months ago (4 children)

If you and the attacker share the same network the attacker can get all sorts if info.

Tools like nmap show things like ip, mac, ports and os detection.

You can use macchanger to randomize your mac. I think there is a setting in networkmanager to do this. Been a while since I looked in the settings.

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  • [–] 9 points 6 months ago (3 children)

    To add to this, I'd be more worried about traffic collection. DNS requests (if your browser isn't using dnssec then you may not be aware), IPs visited, and other stuff.

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