Cat Exploit
Cat Exploit is a project focussed on creating an independent and free WiFi network using cats (entities) and related species carrying a minified version of a wardriving-server. While roaming through streets and backyards of the urban area, they tap into open and badly secured WiFi networks in order to repeat and spread the signal through nearby entities for everyone.
Conditioned to linger inside areas with high network coverage, additional server functionalities allow file sharing anonymously. Occasional food rewards or battery charges will improve the reliability and uptime of an entity.
The minimal but powerful setup of a Raspberry Pi, WiFi dongles and a powerbank is packed into a flat and lightweight acrylic housing fastened to the entity. Apart from wardriving, it runs a web server, router and regular access point, which can be used for both general internet access and advanced file and information sharing. After connecting to the wireless access point, the user has immediate internet access - if a nearby network is available.
Cat Exploit is not necessarily limited to cats, though they proved themselves as the most promising carriers as their moderate trainability and natural habit of roaming around perfectly fits the requirements of this project. But also related species like foxes or raccoons might be well suited for this stealthy task and worth a thought depending on the local conditions.
The range of usage is indeed very broad and relates to the "needs" of the users, reaching from general parasitic and almost restriction-free internet access to abusive and criminal driven activities.
Generally speaking, Cat Exploit takes place in a legal grey zone, though facing and criticising outdated laws like the punishment of hotspot owners for users’ copyright violations. Moreover it is demonstrating and exploiting these weaknesses.
Exhibitions:
- Hacks + Hoaxes - Galerie Herold 10/2015
Press:
