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Comment on Hotel Wi-Fi blocking: Marriott is bad

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How is Marriott blocking WiFi routers, technically? Is it actual radio jamming or something else?

My guess, and my understanding is that it probably uses the same tech that most enterprise WiFi networks use. They probably send fake deauth packets in order to disconnect stations. A lot of enterprise wireless solutions also do this for the following:

(1) Removing security risks: You really don't want people running their own WiFi access point plugged into the corporate network.

(2) Removing interference: In order to remove interfering APs / stations from the network, it deauths them in order to disconnect them.

You can learn more about the mechanisms used here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_intrusion_prevention_...

For those interested, the "This Week In Enterprise Tech" podcast covers this whenever it makes the news, and they go into some detail into what's happening (yes, it's deauth packets).

They also have a pretty good back and forth on the issues about it. One can probably find it in the show notes if you want to find out which casts have covered it already.

Found some details[0] on how they're doing this:

Marriott operates a Wi-Fi monitoring system manufactured by a third party that was installed at the Gaylord Opryland. Among other features, the system includes a containment capability that, when activated, will cause the sending of de-authentication packets to Wi-Fi Internet access points that are not part of Marriott’s Wi-Fi system or authorized by Marriott and that Marriott has classified as “rogue.”

[0] https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-14-1444A1.t...

Sounds like a Cisco Wireless LAN Controller in use! Great for helping protect your airspace.

The FCC will help you protect your airspace. Most people run WiFi on public ISM bands, though.

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