[SOLVED] Types of wireless data transfer?

[Oblivion77]

Dear all

What other hardware than Bluetooth, Network card and FM transmitter (Radio hardware?), can transfer data through “air” / wireless?

Thank you in advance for replying

Best regards

 

[lordmogul]

Since you didn't mention what kind of data should be transmitted and for what use, I assume the question is rather a general one.

Anything that can send waves.
That includes light, so infrared and in theory even something like a laser pointer.
Don't forget analog and digital TV broadcast, CB radio, satellites (including GPS), rc cars, garage door remotes, cellphone networks, etc. Not all of that is being used for computer networks, but some of it can. If you want to go all the way, you could transmit data using morse code and a flashlight bit by bit. Audio signals also work, so having a speaker and a microphone can transmit data, but as with the flashlight it would be susceptible to interruptions.

 

[Oblivion77]

Since you didn't mention what kind of data should be transmitted and for what use, I assume the question is rather a general one.

Anything that can send waves.
That includes light, so infrared and in theory even something like a laser pointer.
Don't forget analog and digital TV broadcast, CB radio, satellites (including GPS), rc cars, garage door remotes, cellphone networks, etc. Not all of that is being used for computer networks, but some of it can. If you want to go all the way, you could transmit data using morse code and a flashlight bit by bit. Audio signals also work, so having a speaker and a microphone can transmit data, but as with the flashlight it would be susceptible to interruptions.

Thank you for your reply

My focus is only that which could fit in a laptop (not USB port)

 

[bill001g]

Your problem is there is generally no room to put any electronic parts inside a laptop and anything that runs radio transmissions would also need antenna similar to the ones behind the screen used by wifi.

There is very little limitation on what you can use the unlicensed radio bands that wifi also uses. This is why things like cordless phones and baby monitor interfere with wifi even though they don't actually use wifi.

Now if you had asked about a desktop machine where there is actual room to insert part there likely is huge number of options of special purpose boards. You see all kinds of things like monitors for security cameras to things that run proprietary building hvac monitoring.

 

[Oblivion77]

Your problem is there is generally no room to put any electronic parts inside a laptop and anything that runs radio transmissions would also need antenna similar to the ones behind the screen used by wifi.

There is very little limitation on what you can use the unlicensed radio bands that wifi also uses. This is why things like cordless phones and baby monitor interfere with wifi even though they don't actually use wifi.

Now if you had asked about a desktop machine where there is actual room to insert part there likely is huge number of options of special purpose boards. You see all kinds of things like monitors for security cameras to things that run proprietary building hvac monitoring.

Thank you for your reply

My "concern" is, if someone with bad intetions, theoretically could insert hardware that could steal my data. I don't have anything of value or interest on my private home system. My work laptop is completely offline, but it has alot of GDPR sensitive data.

As for your reply, I had the exact same thought / conclusion after some further research. I use a similar laptop as ASUS laptop E410
And this disassembly video on Youtube, clearly shows, that there is no / very limited room for extra hardware

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAYmQYkMaFQ&ab_channel=makaitechreviews


Would you say, that there is no room for extra hardware that could function as data transfer?

 

[USAFRet]

My "concern" is, if someone with bad intetions, theoretically could insert hardware that could steal my data. I don't have anything of value or interest on my private home system. My work laptop is completely offline, but it has alot of GDPR sensitive data.

Why is that GDPR data on your laptop?
How come it isn't on the server, behind multiple passwords and access controls?

Ultimately, they'd just steal the laptop.

 

[Oblivion77]

Why is that GDPR data on your laptop?
How come it isn't on the server, behind multiple passwords and access controls?

Ultimately, they'd just steal the laptop.

Its on a laptop, because sometimes I work on it at home

I use a similar laptop as ASUS laptop E410
And the disassembly video on Youtube (link above), clearly shows, that there is no / very limited room for extra hardware

Would you say, that there is no room for extra hardware that could function as data transfer?

 

[USAFRet]

Its on a laptop, because sometimes I work on it at home

I use a similar laptop as ASUS laptop E410
And the disassembly video on Youtube (link above), clearly shows, that there is no / very limited room for extra hardware

Would you say, that there is no room for extra hardware that could function as data transfer?

Sometimes I work on a laptop from home.
Often/usually, it is accessing sensitive personal data, which would be considered GDPR sensitive if I were in the EU.
None of that data actually lives on the laptop.
Period.

I can't help but think you having that actual data on your laptop is a flagrant violation of the GDPR.

What happens to that data if your laptop is stolen?

The "P" stands for Protection.

 

[USAFRet]

In any case...given physical access, many things are possible.
Even with your laptop.

But given physical access, they'd just steal it.

 

[Oblivion77]

In any case...given physical access, many things are possible.
Even with your laptop.

But given physical access, they'd just steal it.

That is true, if someone steal, all is lost