I see that Firefox built-in a Google API geo-location function. Basically G uses the common IP country allocation blocks but refines this using what local wireless networks (SSIDs) your browser/machine can see.
As per http://en-us.www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/geolocation/ - see 'How It Works' I'm guessing that this is Google (or competor) war-driving using an unmarked car to avoid privacy issues. On Thu, Nov 26, 2009 at 3:10 PM, Adrian Mageanu <[email protected]> wrote: > Looks dodgy to a knowledgeable eye, probably is. > > Haven't seen the car, but if it looked suspicious enough to me, I'd call > the authorities. > > Worst that can happen is a news snippet at 6pm saying that a car > belonging to a legit organisation doing some work in town was so poorly > equipped that it raised the suspicion of the tech savvy Christchurch > public enough to call the police. > > Best case scenario you stop dead a scam in progress. > > > > On Thu, 2009-11-26 at 14:46 +1300, Craig Falconer wrote: >> Lee Begg wrote, On 26/11/09 13:59: >> > Paul Swafford wrote: >> >> maybe checking for over-boosted WiFi antennae ? >> > >> > Or building a wireless coverage map (not necessarily WiFi)? >> >> The aerials looked like simple $10 magnetic base ones, with cables >> snaking loose over the roof and into a rear door. Not exactly >> industrial quality. >> >> > >
