Odd-"FBI Surveillance Van" in my wireless networks?

[freeplessinseattle]

Having trouble staying online, so pulled up my my wireless networks, & saw this. Now wouldn't the real FBI be savvy enough to use a code name, like everyone else does?

So I would just write it off as someone being silly, but when I told my friend she said she saw the same thing on her computer a couple weeks ago, when she was in a town maybe 40 miles away.

Is this a new fun naming trend we're unaware of, or should I start getting more worried about my (way) overdue student loans?

Or what is going on in my neighborhood-actually a year or so ago a SWAT team raided house at the end of the block, apparently full of drugs and stolen weapons. Big surprise in our nice serene neighborhood (in the general vicinity of the Sleepless in Seattle houseboat-hopefully also freepless!

[Ino]

1. I have one in my neighborhood wireless network too

and I'm in the Midwest

I assumed it was just a joke.

[freeplessinseattle]

3. ok, now I see it must be a new "prank" just to get people like me wondering!

Now I want to know who really has that address and mess with them!

[uriel1972]

2. I've heard of people doing that for the kicks...

Just to freak people out, but I could be wrong.

[Downwinder]

5. Seems to me that that was recommended here on DU a year or two ago.

[HipChick]

6. So have you tried connecting to it?..

I ran into a bunch of SWAT team..scared me to death...I just backed up my car, and they came pouring out the bushes...

[freeplessinseattle]

7. It's a secured network, but bet it's blazing fast lol

Seeing real live SWAT officers walking down my alley and then seeing one of those tank things go rolling by was surreal, I didn't know what to expect! Half expected all hell to break loose, thank goodness it ended peacefully, over an hour later, after they used a megaphone to repeatedly order the residents to come out. I guess it's not quite like on tv, where they just go charging on in.

They were searching surrounding residences though, and that was a little freaky, since you don't know how dangerous the person is they're looking for, or what could happen to an innocent bystander!

[TreasonousBastard]

8. I wish I thought of that!

[fizzgig]

9. our network was named "nsa surveillance van" for awhile

i'd sit on the porch and watch the swat team across the street at least four times a year at our last place. cops shot a guy a block away (i think he had either a flashlight or a screwdriver ) while we were living there.

i live in a nice city and the cops here go overboard.

[csziggy]

10. It's a joke

What the FBI and Your Wifi Connection Have in Common

Story Created: Aug 14, 2013 at 3:13 PM CDT

Story Updated: Aug 14, 2013 at 8:27 PM CDT
Are there FBI surveillance vans in your neighborhood?

Recently some people are starting to get creative to keep others from stealing their wireless internet.

The trend is sweeping the county, especially the popular "FBI Surveillance Van" name.

Dana Hampton was shocked to see what came up for wifi options when she was in search for an internet connection during a health and wellness seminar in Jackson.

More: http://www.wbbjtv.com/news/local/What-the-FBI-and-Your-Wifi-Connection-Have-in-Common-219619461.html

[easychoice]

11. You will never know they are there,trust me.

I was targeted over an online electronics purchase.
I got a letter from the seller about 6 months later.

[JonLP24]

12. No bullshit

I had the same come up in my wireless networks at my old house. Later it was shortened to "FBI Surveillance".

I had the same thoughts myself.

[jakeXT]

13. With a laptop or mob. device and a tool like inssider you'll probably be able to find out where it

is

http://www.techspot.com/downloads/5936-inssider.html

[LeftofObama]

14. I have one in my neighborhood too.

It used to be NSA, but recently changed to FBI. You can name your wireless connection anything you want to. I'm thinking of naming mine "I'm know who you are and where you live"

[dr.strangelove]

15. We have used that name

We change the name of ours every few weeks and we try to come up with something clever. We have used things like Porn Access and several takes on Zombie's eating the neighborhood. FBI Van is common, and funny.

[denbot]

16. I carry a Verizon "Jet Pack" wireless 4G hub.

Like most networks you can name it anything you like. FBI something or other is VERY common, as if a hacker would be fooled.

Mine is currently named " Mobile Emmitter", before that it was "Jedi-WiFi".

[Baitball Blogger]

17. It's a joke.

People do it because they think it will keep you off their networks.

[Aristus]

18. I get that one in my network every now and then.

First time I saw it, I knew it was a joke.

Kind of like naming your own Wi-Fi network "Stop Stealing My Wi-Fi!"