https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=66.25.14.36explain xkcd - User contributions [en]2026-07-10T20:24:13ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.30.0https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=416:_Zealous_Autoconfig&diff=15283416: Zealous Autoconfig2012-10-22T16:56:01Z<p>66.25.14.36: /* Explanation */</p>
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<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 416<br />
| date = April 28, 2008<br />
| title = Zealous Autoconfig<br />
| image = zealous_autoconfig.png<br />
| imagesize = <br />
| titletext = I hear this is an option in the latest Ubuntu release.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
In this comic, [[Cueball]] is seen attempting to connect his laptop to a Wi-Fi network. He manages to find a secure access point named "Lenhart Family" (which is pesumably [[Miss Lenhart]]'s home Wi-Fi access point) and attempts to connect to it.<br />
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The laptop's Wi-Fi autoconfig utility, instead of requesting a password, first attempts using "common" passwords (known as a {{w|Dictionary attack|dictionary attack}}). Failing this, it attempts to exploit a {{w|Wired Equivalent Privacy|WEP}} vulnerability, which suprises Cueball. This also fails, possibly because Miss Lenhart used {{w|Wi-Fi Protected Access|WPA}} instead of WEP.<br />
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In the third panel, the autoconfig then connects to Cueball's Bluetooth phone and uses it to call a local school and finds that Miss Lenhart's children are attending.<br />
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In the fourth panel, the autoconfig notifies "field agents" to kidnap Miss Lenhart's children, then starts "negotiating" with her. Cueball, frightened by these actions, repeatedy presses Ctrl-C in an attempt to cancel the process, with little success.<br />
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The title text mentions {{w|Ubuntu}}, a Linux distribution that attempts to be as user friendly as possible. Sometimes this verges into creepy territory.<br />
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==Transcript==<br />
:[Guy sitting on a chair with his laptop in his lap]<br />
:Laptop: Starting WiFi autoconfig... searching for WiFi... Found no open networks.<br />
:Laptop: Found secure net SSID "Lenhart Family"<br />
:Laptop: Trying common passwords... Failed. Checking for WEP Vulnerabilities...<br />
:Guy: Um.<br />
:Laptop: None found.<br />
:[Guy still sitting with laptop in his lap, but hand is on chin. Phone on table across room starts vibrating]<br />
:Laptop: Connecting to Bluetooth phone... Calling local school... Found Lenhart children.<br />
:[Guy furiously typing on his laptop]<br />
:Laptop: Notifying field agents. Children acquired. Calling Lenhart parents. Negotiating for WiFi password...<br />
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{{comic discussion}} <br />
<!-- Include any categories below this line--><br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Miss Lenhart]]<br />
[[Category:Linux]]</div>66.25.14.36