Thanks to Thomas for writing in about this “Internet of Pumpkins” project!
London, UK – 30th October 2015: Today sees the launch of the Internet of Pumpkins, a Wi-Fi enabled pumpkin which gives users a ‘trick or treat’ experience to highlight the potential risks of connecting to free Wi-Fi hotspots.
In time for Halloween, global marketing and technology agency DigitasLBi has created a pumpkin which ‘trick or treats’ unsuspecting Wi-Fi users, to demonstrate the potential data security risks when connecting to public
Wi-Fi. The pumpkin contains a modified piece of Wi-Fi penetration testing equipment commonly used by security professionals (and criminals), and is carved with the words ‘trick or treat’.Unsuspecting users connecting to the pumpkin’s free Wi-Fi hotspot on their mobile device receive a trick or a treat, delivered via a captive portal on their phone. While some users receive a voucher for a tasty Halloween treat, others are tricked with fake cracks and errors appearing on their screen, representing the fraud and theft which can sometimes happen in the real world. Once the user has received the trick or treat, the pumpkin serves
them some practical tips on using Wi-Fi safely.Cybercrime experts like Europol have advised consumers that they are at risk of having their personal and financial details stolen when connecting to some public Wi-Fi hotspots.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Every day this month we’ll be bringing you ideas and projects for an Electronic Halloween! Expect wearables, hacks & mods, costumes and more here on the Adafruit blog! Working on a project for Halloween this year? Share it with us on Google+, in the comments below, the Adafruit forums, Facebook, or Twitter— we’d love to see what you’re up to and share it with the world (tag your posts #ElectronicHalloween). You can also send us a blog tip! Tune in to our live shows, Wearable Electronics with Becky Stern, 3D hangouts with Noe and Pedro, and Ask an Engineer, featuring store discount codes, ideas for projects, costumes, decorations, and more!