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authorFrancis Rowe <info@gluglug.org.uk>2015-08-23 11:32:22 (EDT)
committer Francis Rowe <info@gluglug.org.uk>2015-08-23 11:32:22 (EDT)
commit8eecda0700a1213c421fe3c7f87662de24f8a3ab (patch)
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FAQ: notes about WWAN firmware
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@@ -81,6 +81,7 @@
<li><a href="#firmware-sound">Sound card</a></li>
<li><a href="#firmware-webcam">Web cam</a></li>
<li><a href="#firmware-usbhost">USB host controller</a></li>
+ <li><a href="#firmware-wwan">WWAN firmware</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
@@ -562,6 +563,30 @@
<p>
<a href="#pagetop">Back to top of page</a>
</p>
+ <h3 id="firmware-wwan">WWAN firmware <span class="ref">(<a href="#firmware-wwan">#firmware-wwan</a>)</span></h3>
+ <p>
+ Some laptops might have a simcard reader in them, with a card for handling WWAN, connecting to a 3g/4g (e.g. GSM) network.
+ This is the same technology used in mobile phones, for remote network access (e.g. internet).
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ NOTE: not to be confused with wifi. Wifi is a different technology, and entirely unrelated.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ The baseband processor inside the WWAN chip will have its own embedded operating system, most likely proprietary. Use of this
+ technology also implies the same privacy issues as with mobile phones (remote tracking by the GSM network, by triangulating the signal).
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ On some laptops, these cards use USB (internally), so won't have DMA, but it's still a massive freedom and privacy issue.
+ If you have an internal WWAN chip/card, the libreboot project recommends that you disable and (ideally, if possible) physically
+ remove the hardware. If you absolutely must use this technology, an external USB dongle is much better because it can be
+ easily removed when you don't need it, thereby disabling any external entities from tracking your location.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Use of ethernet or wifi is recommended, as opposed to mobile networks, as these are generally much safer.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ <a href="#pagetop">Back to top of page</a>
+ </p>
</div>