[Starlink] Re: Starlink and Iran

[J Pan <Pan@uvic.ca>]

"Amendment to my earlier warning about IR regime scanning for Starlink
WiFi signals:Hiding SSID or using Bypass Mode is a helpful step, but
NOT bulletproof—scanners can still detect the active WiFi radio.The
safest option: TURN OFF WiFi broadcast entirely on the Starlink
router. Use only wired Ethernet connections."? for life-critical
things, better read, think and discuss (3), do and improve (2), and
write (1). why cautious about twitter/x/alike
--
J Pan, UVic CSc, ECS566, 250-472-5796 (NO VM), Pan@UVic.CA, Web.UVic.CA/~pan


On Fri, Jan 16, 2026 at 2:52 PM Frantisek Borsik via Starlink
<starlink@lists.bufferbloat.net> wrote:
>
> "We've received some reports indicating that the Iranian regime is using
> handheld/vehicular scanners to detect WiFi signals (especially networks
> with default or strong names) to locate Starlink sources.
>
> Why? Because WiFi is FAR easier to detect than satellite signals.
> Starlink's uplink/downlink is highly directional and hard to pinpoint from
> ground level, but your router's WiFi broadcasts in all directions from your
> home.
>
> If your friends are inside Iran using Starlink: tell them to enable Bypass
> Mode to disable the built-in WiFi, or at minimum hide their SSID and change
> the network name."
>
> https://x.com/NarimanGharib/status/2012177548247969826?s=20
>
> All the best,
>
> Frank
>
> Frantisek (Frank) Borsik
>
>
> *In loving memory of Dave Täht: *1965-2025
>
> https://libreqos.io/2025/04/01/in-loving-memory-of-dave/
>
>
> https://www.linkedin.com/in/frantisekborsik
>
> Signal, Telegram, WhatsApp: +421919416714
>
> iMessage, mobile: +420775230885
>
> Skype: casioa5302ca
>
> frantisek.borsik@gmail.com
>
>
> On Fri, Jan 16, 2026 at 2:29 AM David Lang via Starlink <
> starlink@lists.bufferbloat.net> wrote:
>
> > Ulrich Speidel wrote:
> >
> > > The other issue is orbits: Starlink now occupies an increasing amount of
> > > space real estate in the LEO Goldilocks zone. Go higher and you pay in
> > terms
> > > of latency, and it also becomes harder to direct your beams into small
> > spots
> > > on the ground. Plus you need more transmitter power or antenna gain to
> > get to
> > > the EPFD limit. Go lower and you'll pay in terms of satellite lifetime -
> > not
> > > ideal unless you have rapid launch capability.
> >
> > Starlink recently announce it was lowering the altitude of about half
> > their
> > satellites.
> >
> > David Lang
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