--- title: Cyber graffiti with WiFi network names as advertising image: https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/file-1601540233-jpg/blog-files/6a00d83451f23a69e20147e2739400970b-200wi.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/2011/02/cyber-graffiti-with-wifi-network-names-as-advertising.html#maincontent) [ «  View All Posts ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog) # Cyber graffiti with WiFi network names as advertising February 9th, 2011 1 min read By [David Meerman Scott](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/author/david-meerman-scott) ![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/file-1601540233-jpg/blog-files/6a00d83451f23a69e20147e2739400970b-200wi.jpg?width=200&height=317&name=6a00d83451f23a69e20147e2739400970b-200wi.jpg) [![Bill gates wifi](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/file-1601540233-jpg/blog-files/6a00d83451f23a69e20147e2739400970b-200wi.jpg "Bill gates wifi")](http://freshspot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451f23a69e20147e2739400970b-pi) You're on the road, perhaps at a coffee emporium, and you want to find a free WiFi network. Hey, we’ve all done it... You look at the network names and there's the usual assortment: People who default to use a WiFi name like 'linksys,' some who use their family name 'Jones_Network,' some random nonsense like 'FJ8673UHNN4,' and the credit-card-required paid networks like 'Boingo_Hotspot.' But then you see a network called **'Hipster Doofus.'** Ha ha ha ha! What fun! Someone has a sense of humor! **But wait. ** Imagine how many people are seeing that network name. If it's in a crowded city, it could be thousands a day. **How about using the 32-character SSID space to broadcast a marketing message? ** Here are some ideas. *(If you have some fun ideas, please comment).* An auto dealer: **Free_test_drives** A pub: **Try_Joes_Martini** A bookstore: **Stop_hacking_and_read_a_book** [![Alexandra](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/file-1601540248-jpg/blog-files/6a00d83451f23a69e20147e2739716970b-120wi.jpg "Alexandra")](http://freshspot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451f23a69e20147e2739716970b-pi) The idea of wifi names as a marketing tool came to me courtesy of Alexandra Janelli. In 2009, Alexandra was at a bar on the Lower East Side of Manhattan when she noticed the network her iPhone brought up was 'Alcoholics Shut In' and that prompted the creation a blog-turned-website [WTFwifi.com](http://www.wtfwifi.com/) to chronicle interesting WiFi names. [![WTF wifi logo](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/file-1601540263-jpg/blog-files/6a00d83451f23a69e20148c87ca72f970c-120wi.jpg "WTF wifi logo")](http://freshspot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451f23a69e20148c87ca72f970c-pi) "Wireless router names are breaking through the walls of homes carrying with them virtual messages, airwave graffiti, or warnings only to be decrypted by our smart phones and computers," Alexandra says. "They are monocles into the cryptic world around us." During Alexandra's [Warwalking](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wardriving), she learned that people use their WiFi names to send messages. "In many cases the messages relate to staying off their connections," she says. "However, you do get the users who will send very direct messages such as 'Fat Man on the 7th Floor is a Douche' or 'We Won Too' which plays off of another WiFi networks name 'We Won', or even 'Hipster Doofus' and 'Son of Hipster Doofus'. While this is not a conventional form of social media its certainly an easily changeable medium where people are becoming more and more aware of its uses." **Got any fun WiFi names near you? Why not share by commenting here. ** *Anyone out there using a WiFi name as a marketing tool? I'd love to hear about it. I'd like to add some good examples in a future book.* [![Safe room](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/file-1601540278-jpg/blog-files/6a00d83451f23a69e20148c87c9b01970c-200wi.jpg "Safe room")](http://freshspot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451f23a69e20148c87c9b01970c-pi) **Here are some of Alexandra's favorite WiFi names:** Uncle Hooterville Stuck in the City Squirrel Power I Eat Children Internet is for Porn EatMoPossum Cheese Has Protein Cupcake Bomb Squad Dirty Diapers for Lunch Images via [WTFwifi.com](http://www.wtfwifi.com/) [ David Meerman Scott ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/author/david-meerman-scott) David Meerman Scott is a business growth strategist, advisor to clever entrepreneurs who are building emerging companies, and the international bestselling author of a dozen books published in 30 languages. David’s high-energy keynote presentations, masterclasses, and virtual events educate, energize, and inspire. Connect: [mailto:david@freshspot.com](mailto:david@freshspot.com) Topics: [ Case Studies ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/topic/case-studies) [ Mobile applications ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/topic/mobile-applications) [ Advertising ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/topic/advertising) Don't forget to share this post: ## Related Articles [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/HubSpot%2020th.jpeg?width=800&height=448&name=HubSpot%2020th.jpeg) ### Congratulations Team HubSpot for 20 Years of Helping Organizations Grow June 12th, 2026|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/congratulations-team-hubspot-for-20-years-of-helping-organizations-grow) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Scott%20Pryor.jpg?width=1500&height=771&name=Scott%20Pryor.jpg) ### How Filmmaking and Fronting a Rock Band Make Scott Pryor a Better Lawyer May 27th, 2026|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/how-filmmaking-and-fronting-a-rock-band-make-scott-pryor-a-better-lawyer) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Jesse%20Cole%20newsjacking.jpg?width=1730&height=912&name=Jesse%20Cole%20newsjacking.jpg) ### Newsjacking: Jesse Cole Teases Spirit Airlines Becoming Banana Air May 8th, 2026|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/newsjacking-jesse-cole-teases-spirit-airlines-becoming-banana-air) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Artemis%20earthset.jpg?width=5568&height=3712&name=Artemis%20earthset.jpg) ### Nasa’s Artemis II Lunar Mission: A PR Triumph for the USA April 11th, 2026|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/nasas-artemis-ii-lunar-mission-a-pr-triumph-for-the-usa) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Moltbook.jpg?width=1536&height=1024&name=Moltbook.jpg) ### Moltbook: A Social Network for AI Agents Where Humans Can Only Watch February 3rd, 2026|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/moltbook-a-social-network-for-ai-agents-where-humans-can-only-watch) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DMS%20casual.jpg?width=3000&height=2001&name=DMS%20casual.jpg) ### My New Website, New Focus, and New Photos January 20th, 2026|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/my-new-website-new-focus-and-new-photos) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Bobby%20Weir.jpg?width=1500&height=765&name=Bobby%20Weir.jpg) ### Bobby Weir and the Music that Will Never Stop January 11th, 2026|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/bobby-weir-and-the-music-that-will-never-stop) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Stray%20Kids.png?width=3434&height=1774&name=Stray%20Kids.png) ### What K-pop Teaches About Fandom January 6th, 2026|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/what-k-pop-teaches-about-fandom) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Jerry%20MLGD.jpg?width=1477&height=1041&name=Jerry%20MLGD.jpg) ### Why You Should Avoid Hiring Well-Rounded Employees December 8th, 2025|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/why-you-should-avoid-hiring-well-rounded-employees) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Thumb_V2.png?width=1366&height=768&name=Thumb_V2.png) ### AI Book Trailer for Marketing Lessons from the Grateful Dead November 25th, 2025|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/ai-book-trailer-for-marketing-lessons-from-the-grateful-dead) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Agentic%20AI%20spam.jpg?width=1004&height=669&name=Agentic%20AI%20spam.jpg) ### Hyper-Personalized Agentic AI Sp*m Email at Scale Is Here November 4th, 2025|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/hyper-personalized-agentic-ai-spam-email-at-scale-is-here) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-10-29%20at%2010.27.19%20AM.png?width=835&height=466&name=Screenshot%202025-10-29%20at%2010.27.19%20AM.png) ### Don’t Fly Wizzness Class Video from Dave Carroll October 29th, 2025|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/dont-fly-wizzness-class-video-from-dave-carroll) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Chef%20Todd%20Edwards.jpg?width=1500&height=1010&name=Chef%20Todd%20Edwards.jpg) ### Pulling Back the Curtain to Show What Happens Behind-the-Scenes October 15th, 2025|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/pulling-back-the-curtain-to-show-what-happens-behind-the-scenes) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Cracker%20Barrel.jpg?width=990&height=541&name=Cracker%20Barrel.jpg) ### Once You Put Your Product or Service into the World, it Belongs to your Fans August 28th, 2025|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/once-you-put-your-product-or-service-into-the-world-it-belongs-to-your-fans) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Flax%20Dental.jpg?width=1540&height=1058&name=Flax%20Dental.jpg) ### The Simple Professional Services Website Makeover That Creates Fans August 11th, 2025|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/the-professional-services-website-makeover-that-creates-fans) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/write%20compelling%20headlines.jpg?width=2248&height=1506&name=write%20compelling%20headlines.jpg) ### The Fine Art of Crafting a Not-Quite-Clickbait Headline August 1st, 2025|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/the-fine-art-of-crafting-a-not-quite-clickbait-headline) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Creating%20a%20Personal%20Website%20for%20Success.jpg?width=1536&height=1024&name=Creating%20a%20Personal%20Website%20for%20Success.jpg) ### Your Future: AI Models Will Find You Via Your Personal Website July 18th, 2025|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/your-future-ai-models-will-find-you-via-your-personal-website) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Stefano%20Paciotti.jpg?width=1500&height=1084&name=Stefano%20Paciotti.jpg) ### The Ham Whisperer of Rome: How Stefano’s Honest Videos Won the World’s Heart June 24th, 2025|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/the-ham-whisperer-of-rome-how-stefanos-honest-videos-won-the-worlds-heart) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Agentic%20AI%20Web.png?width=1536&height=1024&name=Agentic%20AI%20Web.png) ### The AI Agentic Web Is Disrupting Your Website June 4th, 2025|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/the-ai-agentic-web-is-disrupting-your-website) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/HBO%20Max.png?width=720&height=480&name=HBO%20Max.png) ### Max, Once Named HBO Max, Rebranded as… HBO Max May 23rd, 2025|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/max-once-named-hbo-max-rebranded-as-hbo-max) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/starlight_jacket.jpg?width=960&height=740&name=starlight_jacket.jpg) ### Gamify Products and Services to Create Fans and Grow Business May 13th, 2025|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/gamify-product-and-services-to-create-fans-and-grow-business) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Trader%20Joes%20mini%20tote.jpg?width=1500&height=1125&name=Trader%20Joes%20mini%20tote.jpg) ### Trader Joe’s Mini Tote Bag Drop Drives Passionate Fandom April 16th, 2025|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/trader-joes-mini-tote-bag-drop-drives-passionate-fandom) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/brand_bier_adcn2015_support_04.png?width=1200&height=630&name=brand_bier_adcn2015_support_04.png) ### The Branding of Brand Brand Beer March 12th, 2025|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/the-branding-of-brand-brand-beer) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Carnation%20Ice%20Cream%20sign.jpg?width=1440&height=1080&name=Carnation%20Ice%20Cream%20sign.jpg) ### Your Organization’s History As Content Marketing February 10th, 2025|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/your-organizations-history-as-content-marketing) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "David Meerman Scott", "url" : "https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/author/david-meerman-scott" }, "datePublished" : "2011-02-09T11:11:12.000Z", "headline" : "Cyber graffiti with WiFi network names as advertising", "image" : [ "https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/file-1601540233-jpg/blog-files/6a00d83451f23a69e20147e2739400970b-200wi.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/2011/02/cyber-graffiti-with-wifi-network-names-as-advertising.html", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hubfs/_Assets/Logo/david-meerman-scott.png" }, "name" : "David Meerman Scott" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/#person", "@type" : "Person", "description" : "Marketing and sales visionary, international bestselling author of 12 books, keynote speaker in 47 countries, and advisor to emerging companies.", "email" : "mailto:David@DavidMeermanScott.com", "image" : "https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hubfs/DMS-Homepage-Featured.jpg", "jobTitle" : [ "Keynote Speaker", "Author", "Business Growth Strategist", "Marketing Advisor" ], "knowsAbout" : [ "Content Marketing", "Fandom Marketing", "Newsjacking", "Real-Time Marketing", "Public Relations", "Sales Strategy", "Business Growth" ], "name" : "David Meerman Scott", "sameAs" : [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Meerman_Scott", "https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmeermanscott", "https://x.com/dmscott", "https://www.instagram.com/dmscott/" ], "url" : "https://www.davidmeermanscott.com" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/#website", "@type" : "WebSite", "author" : { "@id" : "https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/#person" }, "name" : "David Meerman Scott", "potentialAction" : { "@type" : "SearchAction", "query-input" : "required name=search_term_string", "target" : { "@type" : "EntryPoint", "urlTemplate" : "https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/search?q={search_term_string}" } }, "url" : "https://www.davidmeermanscott.com" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "David Meerman Scott", "url" : "https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/author/david-meerman-scott" }, "dateCreated" : "2014-09-10T23:13:47", "datePublished" : "2011-02-09T06:11:12-0500", "description" : "", "headline" : "Cyber graffiti with WiFi network names as advertising", "image" : [ "http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/413105/file-1601540233-jpg/blog-files/6a00d83451f23a69e20147e2739400970b-200wi.jpg" ], "inLanguage" : "en-us", "keywords" : [ "Case Studies", "Mobile applications", "Advertising" ], "learningResourceType" : "article", "name" : "Cyber graffiti with WiFi network names as advertising", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://413105.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/413105/_Assets/Logo/david-meerman-scott.png" }, "name" : "Freshspot Marketing LLC" }, "timeRequired" : "1 minutes", "url" : "https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/2011/02/cyber-graffiti-with-wifi-network-names-as-advertising.html" } ```