Warchalking
Warchalking Definition
Warchalking is the act of marking public places with chalk symbols to show where Wi-Fi networks are available. Warchalkers often leave the symbols on sidewalks, walls, streetlights, or utility poles to indicate whether the network is open or closed and may include details, like its name or bandwidth.
The practice started in 2002 and briefly gained popularity in urban areas like London or New York. However, it faded over time as modern smartphones come with automatic Wi-Fi scanning.
How Warchalking Works
To start, a warchalker discovers a Wi-Fi network either by stumbling upon it while walking around or deliberately looking for it (this is known as “wardriving”). After locating the network, the person typically uses a laptop or another device to check whether the network is open or secured to gather basic details like its SSID or bandwidth. Once they have the information, a warchalker draws a correct chalk symbol near the hotspot to let others know what kind of network it is.
Warchalking Symbols
- Two semicircles back-to-back: Marks an open network, with the SSID written above and bandwidth noted below.
- Closed empty circle: Indicates a closed network, typically showing the SSID above the circle.
- Closed circle with a “W” inside: Identifies a WEP-secured network, signaling the use of an outdated security protocol that’s now replaced by WPA.
- Two small circles and one large circle with an “M”: Represents a mesh node, showing the network is a part of a larger interconnected Wi-Fi system.
Read More
FAQ
Not really. Warchalking had a brief moment in the early 2000s, when Wi-Fi networks were new and harder to find. Today, smartphones automatically detect nearby networks and show details like SSID, signal strength, and security type, so the practice has mostly disappeared.
Warchalking itself isn’t illegal, since it’s just drawing symbols with chalk. However, depending on local rules, it might still be treated as graffiti or defacement of property.
Warchalking is the act of leaving chalk symbols to mark Wi-Fi hotspots. Wardriving is the process of searching for and mapping Wi-Fi networks, often from a moving vehicle, using a phone or laptop. Wardriving can come first, and warchalking is what someone would do afterward to mark the spot.
45-Day Money-Back Guarantee