Here's the strangest thing I've seen in a while, a U.S. based company announced last week that they have [created a wireless blocking paint][1]. Contrary to what you might think, the intended use is not to help those who claim wifi signals induce headaches, but rather as a means of containing the signal within a building.

A bit of digging reveals that WiFi blocking paint is not a new idea. In fact security expert [Bruce Schneier notes][2] an [Information Week article][3] on similar technology way back in 2004. The company mentioned in that article is even [still in business][4].

The chief problems with wifi-blocking paint appear to be, powerful antennas can generally still pull out a signal, mobile reception inside the building is most likely equally blocked and then there's whole problem with windows.

According to this press release from EM-SEC, the makers of this new wifi shielding paint:

>The tests demonstrated that intellectual property can no longer be stolen through the airwaves while inside an EM-SEC-coated facility. The results showed that a one-time application of the EM-SEC Coating creates an "electromagnetic fortress" by preventing airborne hackers from intercepting signals.

To be honest I can't even tell if the press release is a hoax or not. I don't think it is but the outlandish claims do seem a bit much. Either way if you believe the above statement please contact Michael and I using the links to the right as we have some valuable antique bridge hardware you will absolutely love.

On a serious note, I wonder is putting a coat of this paint, say on the bedroom walls, would help the folks that claim wifi signals give them migraines and other health problems?

[photo credit][5]

[1]: http://emsectechnologies.com/press_releases/press1.php "EM-SEC Technologies Announces Successful Test of Wireless-Blocking Paint"
[2]: http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2004/12/wifi_shielding.html "Wi-Fi Shielding Paint"
[3]: http://informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=56200676 " Startup Markets Wireless-Security Paint"
[4]: http://www.forcefieldwireless.com/products.html "Force Field Wireless"
[5]: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tiseb/209240887/ "Flickr: Free wifi"