Staples wifi hotspot question.

[VirtualLarry]

I'm at Staples, and I wanted to use my tablet in my car in front of the store. However, the Staples free wifi hotspot wouldn't even show up. So I went into the store, and as soon as I entered the store, I had full bars.

I went through their captive portal, and had internet access.

Now I'm left the store, and am in my car in front of the store, and I still have internet.

I used to be able to get a slight signal in the restaurant across the parking lot.

How is Staples cloaking their SSID broadcasts?

Do they scan for MACs of wifi-capable devices entering their store?

How are they doing this?

 

[imagoon]

Sounds like directional antennas to limit the RF field as tightly to the store as they can.

 

[Mushkins]

Sounds like directional antennas to limit the RF field as tightly to the store as they can.

That combined with the high attenuation rate on materials typically used for exterior walls for big shops like Staples/Walmart/etc. That signal from inside isn't going to do so well punching through steel girders, cement walls, and dense insulation.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Sounds like directional antennas to limit the RF field as tightly to the store as they can.

But why was I able to use the wifi in my car just fine, AFTER I went into the store and auth'ed, even though I couldn't even see the SSID until I did that?

 

[VirtualLarry]

That combined with the high attenuation rate on materials typically used for exterior walls for big shops like Staples/Walmart/etc. That signal from inside isn't going to do so well punching through steel girders, cement walls, and dense insulation.

But I used to get a signal inside the restaurant some hundred feet down the plaza, even as far as loading their auth page.

 

[imagoon]

But why was I able to use the wifi in my car just fine, AFTER I went into the store and auth'ed, even though I couldn't even see the SSID until I did that?

Wifi signals reflect like light. It could be anything from a trunk sitting out front moved to someone opened an access door.