Can Faraday Cages Tame Wi-Fi?

mrraven writes "An article at TechWorld discusses the increased need for wireless network security. One possible solution to this problem is the use of building-wide Faraday cages to block the wireless signal from 'leaking'." From the article: "Small installations of RF shielding don't have to be expensive, and the basic concept of a Faraday cage can be extended to all kinds of small everyday objects. Leather wallets sandwiched with a conductive RF-shielding layer can prevent RFID scanners from reading personal information implanted in everything from RFID-enabled access control cards to some credit cards; they're widely available for as little as US$15. For those favoring a more DIY route, several Web sites have information on how to make an RFID-blocking wallet with duct tape and aluminum foil."

The truth may be out there...

[Cygfrydd]

So this is essentially a giant tinfoil hat for your office? Will it stop the voices as well?

Re:The truth may be out there...

[tocs]

No,
I think the idea is to keep the voices from leaking out.

Thank god we got rid of wires

[Anonymous Coward]

So we can replace the wires from each user to a building-wide mesh of wires.

Faraday Cage

[azrider]

A long time ago, I was a contractor for an establishment whose headquarters was over 4 city blocks and >10 stories above. The building was constructed entirely as a Faraday Cage (nothing inside got outside, checked on a regular basis). When the building was first constructed, the contractor adhered the wire mesh (windows were already shielded) with standard galvanized nails (inside receptor/conductor through shielding/outside transmitter). Go figure...

Re:What about windows?

[zlogic]

I totally agree with you. Until Windows is replaced with something more secure, the network can be easily accessible from outside.
Oh wait...

Re:The truth may be out there...

[shmlco]

I want the tinfoil wallet.

BTW, I can just image the "scare-the-consumer" infomercials for those. "Anyone just walking by can steal your entire life! Stop them now with our high-tech disposable Super-TF-Wallet! Just 3 easy payments of $19.95 and you...."

I must already have this!

[B5_geek]

This is incredible, all this time I thought I just had bad luck. I can't get 1 bar of signal strength on my cell phone, unless I prop the phone against my window and point it at the cell phone tower that I can see ~500' away.

And WiFi? No way! I have 3 access points (One in attic, one in basement, one on the same floor as the PC using it (10' away on the other side of a wall) and do you think I can get a reliable signal? Hell no, but if I am in my car I can pick it up 2 blocks away.

My wifes old 900MHz phone works fine, my new 5.8GHz phone? it'll only work if I stay in the same room as the base-station and the people can only hear me when I yell.

If I try using 802.11a, I get good results (despite my wifes phone and 2 microwave ovens in the house), my CRAP (Completly Ridiculous Assinine Pet) theory is that the lower frequency passes through the super-human drywall that my house is made of. But to compete with that theory I can't understand why a Nerf-ball is able to dent the wall.

Time to move I guess.

Re:Inadvertent Faraday Cages

[Shadyman]

That's similar to the metal rebar in office buildings that hinders (absorbs or reflects) cell phone signals.

Can you hear me now? No? Good.

OMG

[Blakey Rat]

So now the attacker has to come into your foyer and sit around instead of being able to do it from the coffeeshop across the street!