January Change Links
Links of Change from the Rechel Group, Inc., January 2008
Wireless Access in a Car - Anywhere
A few months ago Avis rolled out a new option for renters. For $10.95 per day customers can rent a wireless router that plugs into the cigarette lighter (or power outlets for those too young to know what a cigarette lighter is). The company that makes the router, Autonet Mobile, also sells it directly to consumers.
Trndwatching.com reported the following:
Autonet Mobile is a wireless internet service designed to maintain seamless connectivity while driving. The service turns a car into a wifi hotspot, allowing multiple people to connect their own wifi-enabled computers to the internet. Autonet runs over both 3G and 2.5G cellular data networks. Users simply plug the in-car router into their cigarette car lighter, connect their wifi device(s) and surf the net. Autonet Mobile claims to be effective on more than 95% of roads in the US. Avis is the first corporate customer of Autonet, rebranding the service as Avis Connect.
What does the technology behind this router mean to you? It means two things from my perspective, one good and one bad.
For mobile command units, it means you could purchase one of these routers, plug it in, and now anyone who needs Internet access and who has a standard wireless card in their laptop, can connect to the Internet. They will not have to have a wireless phone card such as Verizon, etc in their computer to connect to the Internet, multiple laptop users can connect through the router, and you can access the Internet while you drive the mobile command unit.
On the other hand, the criminal element will now be able to access the Internet in a car or van, on just about any highway they may travel. The planning, organizing, and controlling necessary for successful criminal activity, large or small, can now include seamless, uninterrupted Internet access. For instance, burglary rings can move from street to street and research their targets and getaway routes on the fly. Bank robbers can scout out branches to case without having to rent a hotel room to plan the event. The options are limited only by their intellect and their imagination.
For law enforcement, it is another electronic gadget that is great for most consumers, but opens up another avenue for the criminal element to exploit.
From an investigative perspective, some of the indications that you may want to be alert to are:
Any information referring to Autonet Mobile, literature, receipts, etc.Investigations involving rental cars in which Avis Connect was rented by the perpetrators.Investigations in which no cell phone card is present in a laptop, but mobile Internet access is part of the criminal scheme.For detailed information contact Autonet Mobile - http://autonetmobile.com/wp/www.rechelgroup.com jimrechel@rechelgroup.com Office: 513-521-1860 Fax: 513-521-1867