Finally, after some weeks of fixing additional issues and adapting part of the code to particularities found in Linux, we are proud to announce the release of the Linux version of Whisher. It is available from our download page, and is a self-installing package (.sh), which just has to be run under non-root privileges.

One difference we could not avoid in respect to the Windows and Mac versions is that key security cannot be guaranteed, as some WiFi drivers will report the currently applied encryption key in cleartext, thus making enforcement of buddies-only or private sharing modes difficult, if the user is mainly sharing in public mode. Thus, with the Linux client, you will only be able to synchronize the keys of your buddies, not keys from those sharing in public mode. We realize this can be a limitation, but we have to guarantee the safety of all users on all platforms.

This is a first release, and thus has not been so extensively tested as its counterparts, so we will appreciate feedback and suggestions from the community, via this blog, or even better, on our forums, where topics can be organized and followed up on easier. Enjoy!

WPBFAQ (Will Probably Be Frequently Asked Questions)

Q. Why is Whisher not open source?

A. We chose not to release in open source for a number of reasons, but mainly it is to keep the consistency of the client, as it will be tightly integrated into the Whisher platform and web services, to protect a number of code libraries we have licensed, and to avoid as much as possible the chance of having ‘rogue’ clients that could compromise the security of our users. We do welcome all suggestions, bug reports and criticism you can throw at us though!

Q. Why an installer?

A. We realize there are many hard-core command-line users out there, but we chose to make it easier to install for Linux newcomers on mainstream distributions.

Q. What privileges does Whisher run under?

A. It has to be run under normal user privileges, not as root.

Q. Does it have any dependencies?

A. Yes, you may need to install Network Manager if you find the WiFi part of Whisher is not working. Some if not most main distributions already package this, so you probably won’t have to worry. If you need to download it, the version that has been tested to work with Whisher can be found here [FTP].

People often ask about the three sharing modes that Whisher offers - unlike other initiatives, we are not about all or nothing, share or not share, have access or be left outside. Our approach is to let people decide how, when and with whom they want to share, and not be bound by their choice in a way that it affects their ability to interact with the rest of the community.

With this in mind, we created three sharing modes: public, buddies-only, and private.

Public sharing mode

Public mode basically means that anyone with a Whisher client and a registered account can access your WiFi. When you register your WiFi, the credentials needed to access it (WEP or WPA key) are distributed to the rest of the Whisher clients out there in a secure way, so that whilst they can connect, they will never see your key. Whisher keeps logs of connections to your WiFi, and these will be available soon in a private account page at whisher.com for you to review.

Buddies-only sharing mode

If you are not ready to share with the rest of the community, but would rather start with your friends and relatives, or maybe you want to setup a small community WiFi network with your neighbors, then this mode is for you. The credentials to access your WiFi are distributed only to those Whisher users you have added to your buddy list, so controlling your sharing becomes as easy as managing buddies - don’t want to allow someone to connect any longer? Remove them from your buddy list. Someone coming to visit and you don’t want to go through the hassle of giving them the key to your WiFi? Add them to your buddy list, and when they arrive, they will be able to connect transparently.

Private sharing mode

If you are downloading important stuff, you probably want to enjoy the full speed your broadband connection offers. Simply enable private mode, and even those in your buddy list will be denied access - saving those users who you have added as VIP.

VIP you say?

When you enable private mode, you may want to keep some Whisher users connected, such as your family members or close friends, thus, all you have to do is add them to your VIP list. This is very simple, just select them on the local WiFi users list, right-click, and choose the ‘Add as VIP’ option from the popup menu. You will see a star next to their name, meaning they are now VIPs. To remove a VIP, you can either right-click on the user again and reverse the process, or you can open the WiFi profile window, where you will see all the VIP users you have added.

As you can see, sharing your WiFi with Whisher is safe, fun and hassle-free. You don’t have to wait for things to happen, fight unfamiliar hardware and settings, or install extra equipment - if your existing WiFi works, you can share it!

We’re pleased to announce the release of an updated Mac Whisher client, which fixes the same issues that were fixed in the last Windows release, plus the following:

• Fixed WPA and WPA2 support, with Apple’s latest APIs.
• Fixed some crashes during registration of WiFi signals.
• Improved login time.
• Improved general stability.

The download is available here, as before, simply mount the .dmg, and drag the icon to the Applications folder. There is no need to uninstall the previous version, although it could help if you have a much older release and you experience problems with this one.

As always, we welcome your comments and reports, and development continues to adapt and improve Whisher in many different aspects, more news to follow!

This is the first in a series of mini-tutorials that aim at getting you aquainted with Whisher and the functionality we offer through our client. Today, we will see how easy it is to share your WiFi network with others, and we will answer a few frequently asked questions at the end.

Whisher allows you to share your WiFi without having to purchase new hardware or even reconfigure your existing equipment. Before we start, one common question: Why should I share my WiFi? Well, you don’t have to, but we love to share because we make the world better. It’s fine to have broadband at home, but it’s even better if you enjoy free access elsewhere. If we all give a little, we can gain a lot.

The process is extremely simple:

1. Connect to your protected Wi-Fi using Whisher. If you have an open hotspot, the process is the same, but it will be tagged (more on this later).
2. Click on the “Register as my access point” link, which is right below the signal name (SSID) in the main window of Whisher.
3. Fill in the form: nickname and welcome message, which is what visitors will see when passing by your Wi-Fi, and the location where your Wi-Fi is, so that others can find it.

Your Wi-Fi is now shared!

Can you decide with whom and when to share? Sure! In the second tab of Whisher, you have 3 buttons on the top toolbar: Public, Buddies Only and Private. You can switch between them at any time to control access to your Wi-Fi. Remember that private mode won’t allow anyone to access your network except you and your VIP users.

VIP users you say? Even if you enable private mode, those closest to you (family members for example) should still be able to get connected. You just have to right-click on the local users and add them to the VIP list.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. Is it really that simple? How does it work?

A. Yes it is! What Whisher does in the background is distribute the credentials to your WiFi in a secure manner, to those who you have authorized. If you are sharing in buddies-only mode, only those in your buddy list will get the key to your WiFi, and even then, in an secure format.

Q. Do I have to leave my PC running all the time connected to my WiFi?

A. Not at all. All the information and configuration regarding how you share your WiFi is handled by the Whisher backend systems. Once you have registered your WiFi and chosen a sharing mode, you can turn off your laptop and go on holiday, everyone using Whisher will follow your settings. Of course, if you want to see the action on your WiFi in real time, you need to be connected to it - we are working on a remote feature that will allow you to see what is going on in your WiFi from anywhere!

Q. Is WiFi sharing safe?

A. Is crossing the road safe? Just kidding! Sharing one’s WiFi is a matter of choice, some people would never share anything (not even an icecream!), while others would leave their house door open so people could come in for a coffee at will. This is why at Whisher we give you choice - share with everyone, with just your trusted buddies, or with your closest relatives. Unlike other initiatives, we don’t believe in an all-or-nothing approach, so you decide. We of course always recommend running a personal firewall and antivirus, even if you are not using Whisher at all.

Q. But my ISP’s contract says sharing is “illegal”.

A. First, we have to make a clear distinction - one thing is sharing WiFi as a gesture of goodwill to others, and a completely different thing is reselling the access. Simply sharing your WiFi, and more so if it is in a controlled way, is tolerated by most ISPs, despite what their contracts say. When we talk to ISPs they admit that it would not make sense to go after their own users for simply sharing without profit. On the other hand, to resell access without an operator license (like ISPs are forced to have) is actually illegal in some countries, and not tolerated by most ISPs - the end user is becoming a mini-ISP in effect.

Q. I have an open (unencrypted) hotspot, can I still register it?

A. Yes, but you will not benefit from the control mechanisms that Whisher offers, such as the sharing modes. Since your signal is open, anyone can connect, even non-Whisher users. Right now you can tag an open WiFi, and give it a welcome message, but you do not become its owner. We are working on ways to enable open-hotspot owners to be able to register and manage them, which will make their way into future releases of Whisher.

Q. I have further questions.

A. No problem! Feel free to join us on the Whisher Forums, or drop us an email.