How to prevent your router from leaking your location without your knowledge

¿How to prevent your router from leaking your location without your knowledge? We live glued to our phones, with the GPS and Wi-Fi turned on almost all dayAnd we rarely stop to think about what information is being shared in the background, or how to use it Apps to block trackers on AndroidOne of the most sensitive pieces of information is your physical location, and not just that of your phone: also that of your Wi-Fi router or access pointwhich can end up in global databases without you doing absolutely anything.

Behind the convenience of opening Google Maps and having your location appear almost instantly lies a massive data collection system. Your router may be registered with services from Apple, Google, or other companies, and furthermore, your Internet provider and a multitude of websites and apps They also try to find out where you are and what you're doing online. In this article, we'll take a detailed look at how all this works and what you can do about it. prevent your router from leaking your location without your knowledge and reduce tracking in general.

How the Wi-Fi Positioning System (WPS) works and why it affects your router

Behind the fast geolocation you see in map apps is a large machine called Wi-Fi Positioning System (WPS)It has nothing to do with the router's WPS button for connecting devices, but with enormous databases that store approximate coordinates of millions of Wi-Fi access points scattered all over the world.

Every time someone with a smartphone with GPS and location services enabled If your device passes near your router, it can scan nearby networks, send that list (with the access point identifiers) to the servers of Apple, Google, or other companies, and in exchange, quickly gain a ranking. In that process, the BSSID and the approximate location of your router They can end up associated in their databases, even if you don't have a mobile phone or have never installed their applications.

This system allows the phone to operate automatically when you open a map app, without having to wait for GPS satellites to provide a stable position, which can take several minutes. Instead, the phone... compare nearby Wi-Fi networks With that massive database, you get a near-instantaneous location. Then you can combine it with GPS, mobile network data, and other sensors to refine the result.

But it doesn't end there. Even devices without GPS, such as laptops or some tabletsThey can use that same information. They simply need to send the list of visible Wi-Fi networks to a geolocation service, which will then return approximate coordinates; that's why it's important to know detect if your Android phone has spyware and prevent suspicious apps from sending data without your permission. Research such as that from the University of Maryland (UMD) has shown that, with few restrictions, it is possible create detailed router maps and extract mobility patterns, habits, or even perform tasks to track people.

The key identifier used for all of this is the BSSID of the access pointThis typically corresponds to the MAC address of the router's Wi-Fi interface (or a very close variant). This information is transmitted in clear text on Wi-Fi beacons, so any nearby device can pick it up without connecting to the network.

Risks of your router being located

At first glance, it may seem that the approximate location of a router It's not an overly sensitive issue: after all, anyone who walks down your street already knows more or less where you live. But there are scenarios where the location of an access point becomes highly sensitive information, or at least very useful to third parties with various interests.

A clear first example is the satellite internet terminals, such as StarlinkThese devices typically create a local Wi-Fi network for users to connect to. If the device can be located using WPS, in practice, it's possible to... track user's location even if they are in a remote area, a military conflict zone, or an emergency operation. In some contexts, knowing the exact location of these terminals can have very serious security consequences.

Another sensitive scenario is that of the mobile hotspots used in travel and businessMany people share their internet connection from a pocket-sized 4G/5G router or their mobile phone with their laptop and other devices. This "traveling router" can accompany you to meetings, hotels, trade fairs and travelallowing someone collecting WPS data to infer your travel patterns, how often you move and where you go.

We also need to consider motorhomes, boats, yachts, and all types of vehicles with permanent Wi-Fi access pointsKnowing the location of these routers over time can reveal not only common routes, but also periods spent in the same port, frequent parking areas, and so on. Even without initially knowing the owner's identity, this information can be cross-referenced with other data.

A third, particularly delicate, scenario is that of the people who move to another addressIt's quite common to take your router or access point to your new home. If someone connected to your network, even just once, in your previous house (a neighbor, a visitor, an ex-partner…), that device can still detect the same BSSID and, with the help of geolocation services, find out where you've gone to liveFor most, it will be nothing more than a curiosity, but for victims of harassment, gender violence, or threats, it can be an enormous risk; that's why it's important to learn how. detect stalkerware on Android or iPhone if you suspect someone is following you.

Real limitations of WPS tracking

Despite all of the above, it is worth putting things in context: the Tracking via WPS is neither the fastest nor the most accurate method of surveillance. In fact, it has several limitations that significantly reduce its practical danger in many everyday situations.

To begin with, getting a router into the WPS databases isn't immediate. UMD studies showed that a A new access point may take between two and seven days. to appear in Apple or Google systems, provided it's constantly broadcasting from the same location. If you take a mobile router with you to a place where you'll only be for a few hours or a couple of days, it's quite possible that that movement will never be reflected on the global map.

Furthermore, for a router to be considered a "candidate" for inclusion in the database, it must be Detected by several smartphones with active geolocationA single, isolated scan is usually ineffective. In sparsely populated areas, secondary roads, or rural zones, an access point can easily go undetected for months or even indefinitely.

It should also be noted that WPS is based on the BSSID, and the Wi-Fi standards allow for the randomization of that identifierIf the router supports this feature and it's enabled, the BSSID changes periodically without affecting the normal operation of connected devices (the access point itself manages the transition). This trick makes it extremely difficult to re-identify a specific router over time.

This idea is similar to that of the Private MAC address on Android, iOS, and WindowsThis causes your mobile device to change its identity when it scans for Wi-Fi networks, making it harder for them to track you. In the case of access points, BSSID randomization significantly reduces the ability to construct accurate routes over time based on that identifier.

Therefore, although WPS poses risks, it should be remembered that it is usually less direct and less refined than other methods surveillance and tracking, such as tracking through mobile networks, apps with excessive permissions, third-party cookies, browser fingerprints, or even data from the operator itself.

How to prevent your router from being added to Apple and Google databases

The good news is that both Apple and Google offer a little-known but very effective method for exclude a Wi-Fi access point from your geolocation databasesYou don't have to call anyone or fill out a form: just change your network name.

The trick is to add the suffix _nomap at the end of the SSID (the Wi-Fi network name). If your network is currently called, for example, TheWiFiAtHomeYou would have to rename it to something like TheWiFiAtHome_NoMapThat suffix tells WPS services that They must not store or use your access point for their location calculations.

This solution works for both home routers and office or small business access pointsIt's one of the simplest and most direct steps you can take if you're worried that your router's location might end up being part of a global map managed by third parties.

If you don't like how the name sounds, you can combine it with other words (for example, an inside joke, an alias…), but the suffix has to remain exactly as it is. _nomap at the end of the SSID for it to take effect. Changing the name does not affect security (key, encryption, etc.), but it will require that Please re-enter the password on all devices.So it's a good idea to let people know at home or in the office before doing it.

As an additional measure for those who frequently change their address, an interesting option is rent the router from the operator instead of buying itThis way, when you move, you return the device (and its associated BSSID to your old address) and receive a new one at your new location. It's not absolute protection, but it does reduce the historical trace physically linked to the device.

Using routers with random BSSIDs and advanced firmware

If you want to take your privacy a step further, beyond _nomap, you might consider using a router that allows BSSID randomizationSome manufacturers and open-source hardware projects, such as certain Supernetworks routers, implement this feature by default in combination with open-source firmware.

Alternative firmwares such as DD-WRT They also incorporate the option of a random BSSID, provided the router hardware supports it. With this technique, the identifier seen by nearby devices changes periodically, making it more difficult for geolocation services or third parties to identify the router. build a router “lifeline” and to find out if it is the same person who was in another home or in another country a few months ago.

This strategy is particularly interesting for mobile access points, routers in vehicles, boats or motorhomeswhere movement is constant. Even if WPS has latencies of several days, preventing that BSSID from being stable further complicates tracking.

In the case of smartphones used as a hotspot, it's advisable to carefully review the settings. On iPhones, for example, There is no direct setting to enable BSSID randomization for personal hotspotsHowever, Apple links this behavior to the use of the "Private Wi-Fi Address" option on networks to which the phone itself connects. If you activate this feature for some networks (Settings → Wi-Fi → tap the network → turn on "Private Wi-Fi Address"), the phone will begin to Randomize the BSSID when sharing Internet as an access point.

On Android, the situation varies depending on the manufacturer and system version. Some include settings directly for the hotspot with random MAC or dynamic BSSIDIn some cases, you'll rely on the manufacturer's interface or third-party apps/firmware. It's worth exploring the "Wi-Fi Hotspot / Internet Sharing" menus or consulting the documentation for your specific model.

Starlink terminals and similar solutions are also starting to receive software updates which activate the randomization of the BSSID by default, at least according to what the company itself has communicated since the beginning of 2023. It is a logical move in a context in which these devices may operate in particularly sensitive areas.

How to prevent your carrier and browser from revealing your location

Beyond WPS, there is another key front: the data collected by your carrier, your browser, and apps that you use daily. Many "free" services, social networks, or applications thrive precisely by exploiting the information you provide, including location, browsing habits, schedules, interests, or consumption patterns.

Giant platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and many other networks They profit from extreme user profiling. The terms of service and privacy policies, which almost no one reads, typically authorize access to much of the information on your deviceFrom location and contacts to connection type, phone model, and more; if you suspect you're being monitored, it's helpful to know how know if your iPhone is being spied on.

Nor should we forget the role of the telecommunications operatorsThey have the ability to know what times you connect, how much data you consume, what type of services you use, and even, depending on the country's regulations, which domains or IPs do you visit?In some places, these companies have been allowed or facilitated to sell this data to third parties.

The value of this information on the black market is very high. On the Dark Web, it is estimated that, including identification documents, account numbers, access to emails and social media, The "data package" of a single person can reach very high figuresData such as your ID number can be worth tens or hundreds of euros, and banking credentials multiply that value. A leak of this type of information can compromise both your finances and your personal security.

Although many cyberattacks are related to user errors (phishing, fake forms, emails that impersonate your bank…), it's important not to forget that there is a much more constant, silent tracking; that's why it's useful to know about tools like Autoruns to remove programs that start automatically without permission and reduce the attack surface. Therefore, if you want your router to stop leaking your location and also minimize what your provider and websites know about you, it's worth strengthening several fronts.

VPN: The key tool for hiding traffic and location

One of the most effective ways to reduce the power of your mobile operator and many websites is to use a VPN service (virtual private network)Although they were created to establish virtual local networks between geographically dispersed devices, today they are a basic tool for those seeking greater anonymity and freedom on the Internet.

When you connect without a VPN, your device Speak directly to each website through your internet providerThe operator can see which servers you connect to (domains, IPs), how much your devices download, how much time you spend online, etc. With a VPN, all your traffic first goes through a encrypted intermediate server, and from there it goes out onto the network with another IP address, usually from another country or region.

For the website you're visiting, it's the VPN's IP address that's connecting, not yours. And for your internet service provider, the details of your browsing are encapsulated within a... encrypted tunnelYou'll see that you're talking to a VPN server and how much traffic you're consuming, but not the content or which specific services you're interacting with inside.

Not all VPNs are created equal. Many free solutions, very popular for bypassing geo-restrictions, are Not recommended if you're looking for real privacy.Some store extensive logs of your activity, including your IP address, how long you were connected, and your bandwidth usage. This history can be sold or handed over in response to legal requests.

To minimize risks, it's advisable to opt for Reputable paid VPNClear "no logs" policies and transparent terms of service are essential. Ideally, they should only collect the data absolutely necessary to manage your account and payment, avoiding recording your IP address, detailed connection times, or other metadata. If they also offer cryptocurrency or other anonymous payment methods, the level of privacy is even higher.

If you want to try something simple without complicating things, browser extensions like TunnelBear or similar They allow you to activate a lightweight VPN tunnel from Chrome, Firefox, or Opera. They're useful for specific cases (like connecting to public Wi-Fi), but if you need to protect all your system's traffic, it's preferable to install the VPN client at the device level or even configure it directly on the router.

Proxy, DNS and HTTPS: extra layers of privacy and security

Besides the VPN, there are other tools that can be useful for limit what is known about you and where you goHowever, none are as complete as a good, well-configured virtual private network.

The proxy services They act as intermediaries between your device and the websites you visit. Instead of connecting directly, you ask the proxy to do it for you and forward the response. This can hide your real IP address from the destination website, but proxies don't always encrypt the connection or offer as much protection as a VPN. They're useful for specific tasks or browser configurations, but They do not replace a complete encrypted tunnel.

The DNS servers Domain Name Systems (DNS) are another key element that is sometimes overlooked. They are responsible for translating names like “tecnobits".com" in numerical IP addresses. You normally use your ISP's DNS servers, which means the provider can see all your queries. Changing your DNS servers to other public ones (OpenDNS, Cloudflare, Comodo, Google DNS, etc.) can help you circumventing blockages and censorshipand even add some protection against attacks.

However, traditional DNS is not encrypted, so both your ISP and the VPN itself could see those queries if you don't use alternatives like DNS over HTTPS (DoH) or tools like DNSCryptwhich specifically encrypt this traffic. In any case, changing the DNS should be seen as a complementary layer for security purposes, not as a definitive solution to hide browsing or location.

On the other hand, the use of HTTPS It has practically become the standard. It's the encrypted version of the old HTTP, and it adds an SSL/TLS layer that protects the integrity and confidentiality of the connection. When you see the padlock in the browser's address bar, it means that the communication between your computer and the website is secure. encrypted in both directionsmaking it difficult for someone to "click" in the middle to read or manipulate what is being sent.

This doesn't prevent the operator from seeing which domain you're connecting to (the IP address remains visible), but it does prevent them from reading the content of what you exchange (forms, passwords, messages, etc.). It's a basic step: always try to prioritize HTTPS websites and be wary of those that ask for sensitive data without this protection.

Browsers and Tor: reducing the trail you leave on the web

The browser is another obvious tracking method. Through cookies, scripts, browser fingerprinting, and permissions such as location access, websites can build a very detailed profile of your activityIn addition to what we already mentioned about location: many sites ask for explicit permission to know it, and a large part of the users accept without reading.

In browsers like Mozilla Firefox You can strengthen your privacy settings. Enabling "Tracking protection in private windows" and selecting "Always apply Do Not Track" helps reduce tracking by certain websites and advertising networks, though it's not a complete solution. In Internet Explorer (for those who still use it), you can select "Never allow websites to request your physical location" within the privacy settings.

En Google ChromeThe location setting is found in Settings → Advanced → Content settings → Location, where you can select “Do not allow sites to track my physical location.” Browsers like Opera include similar controls to disable geolocation and, in some cases, They even include a built-in VPN which can be activated with one click to encrypt part of your traffic. If you prefer a privacy-focused browser, you can Configure Brave for maximum privacy and reduce the number of active trackers.

If you're looking for a much more aggressive approach against tracking, one option is to use Tor BrowserThis is a modified version of Firefox that connects to the Tor network and comes with many features disabled or hardened. minimize digital footprintIt blocks plugins like Flash, ActiveX, or QuickTime, manages cookies very strictly, and allows you to easily change your "identity."

With Tor, your traffic is routed through multiple nodes distributed around the world, making it very difficult to link your real IP address to the destination website. It also allows you to access sites on the so-called Deep/Dark Web (.onion domains) that are not indexed by traditional search engines. For its protection to be truly effective, it is recommended Use Tor only while it's open and not have other browsers running in parallel that could leak data.

Beyond Tor, you can also consider using alternative browsers designed for privacy, or strengthening Chrome/Firefox with extensions that block trackers, third-party scripts, and intrusive cookies. However, all of this will be much more effective if you combine it with... Best practices for geolocation and VPN use.

Any connected device can be tracked

It's worth remembering that it's not just your computer or your mobile phone that are "exposed" to this type of tracking. Any device connected to the Internet It can become a source of information about you: smart TVs, game consoles, voice assistant speakers, IP cameras, smartwatches, etc.

Your operator, or whoever has access to the appropriate data, can deduce, for example, What kind of content do you watch on your smart TV?What times you're usually online, what streaming platforms you use, or when you go on vacation (simply by observing traffic patterns). If you always connect from the same home Wi-Fi network, that footprint becomes quite stable over time.

One way to raise the bar is to install a VPN directly on the routerThis way, all devices connecting to the internet through that network will pass through the encrypted tunnel, without needing to configure each device individually. It's a convenient solution if you have many devices connected and don't want to configure them one by one.

If you frequently connect to other people's networks (public Wi-Fi, offices, friends' houses, etc.), it might be more practical to use a VPN at the device or browser levelso that it accompanies you wherever you connect. This reduces the risk of third parties on that network (router owner, other users, attackers) being able to spy on your traffic without your knowledge.

It's also important to keep in mind that even if you use a VPN, proxy, and other tools, your carrier will still know. that you are using the network and how much data you consumeThe myth that with a VPN you "don't use up" your mobile data is completely false: the traffic still goes through your provider, it's just encrypted and hides the details of which specific services you connect to.

Finally, remember that some services (streaming platforms, betting sites, online games, etc.) They can block or limit the use of VPNsIf you're always connected to a server in another country, you might encounter restrictions, temporary bans, or login errors. It's advisable to review these policies and disconnect the tunnel when necessary, or choose compatible servers.

Taking all of the above into account, if you want your router to not reveal your location and, at the same time, reduce the enormous amount of data you generate without being fully aware of it, the winning approach is to combine several layers: Rename your network with _nomap to escape WPS databases, consider randomization of the BSSID And the use of advanced firmware on routers that support it, relying on a reliable VPN (ideally configured at the router level when you want to cover all devices), tightening the privacy settings of your browser and mobile device (especially regarding geolocation), always prioritizing HTTPS connections and the most private DNS servers, and getting into the habit of being wary of suspicious permissions and emails. With these measures, without becoming paranoid, you can ensure that both your router and your digital footprint are far less visible and exploitable for third parties.