PirateBox

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PirateBox
File:PirateBox-logo.svg
Original logo of the PirateBox
Introduced 2011
Ports USB
Language English

A PirateBox is a portable electronic device, often consisting of a Wi-Fi router and a device for storing information, creating a wireless network that allows users who are connected to share files anonymously and locally. By definition, this device is disconnected from the Internet.

The PirateBox was originally designed to exchange data freely under the public domain or under a free license.

History

The PirateBox was designed in 2011 by David Darts, a professor at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development at New York University under Free Art License. It has been highly popularized in Western Europe since, particularly in France by Jean Debaecker, and its development is largely maintained by Matthias Strubel.[1] The usage of the PirateBox-Concept turns slowly away from common local filesharing to purposes in education, concerning public schools[2] or private events like CryptoParties[3] a crucial point also being circumvention of censorship[4] since it can be operated behind strong physical barriers.

Set up

The most efficient setup can be built with a TP-Link Wi-Fi router and a USB flash drive. As of version 1.0, there is an improved installation path, with only a few steps followed by an automatic install.[5]

Uses

Users connect to the PirateBox in Wi-Fi (using a laptop, for example) without having to learn the password. They then launch software web browser, which will display the web page of the local PirateBox and so by means of web applications allow them to download or upload files, use the system of instant messaging available and post messages on the forum. All these data exchanges are confined to PirateBox and are unrelated to the Internet.[6]

Several educational projects use them to deliver content to students allowing them to share by chat or forum. The PirateBox is also used in places where Internet access is rare, such as African villages.

Devices which can be diverted to a PirateBox

Wi-Fi routers

Not an exhaustive list:

  • TP-Link MR3020 – the first device modified by David Darts[11]
  • TP-Link MR3040[12]
  • Zsun WiFi Card Reader - hacked by installing OpenWRT,[13] and there are efforts to produce easy installation instructions for PirateBox on this device.[14]

The PirateBox official wiki has an up to date hardware-list of compatible devices.[15]

See also

File:When online is offline.jpg
When online is offline

References

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ [1][dead link]
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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