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There's a computer near you, spying on your WiFi. It knows where you live...

Many people have tried to produce a map of all "open" internet wireless hotspots in every area. It has proved impossible to keep it updated... but what if every WiFi notebook could be co-opted to take on the job automatically?

It seems that Brad Reed has unearthed a piece of software which can do this. Wefi wants you to download its code, and start spying on the neighbourhood - and telling the Wefi network what you've found.

Reed has managed to corner WeFi CEO Zur Feldman, and has published a detailed interview with the man, to find out how it works and what the ambitions are - and they are no less than a global free WiFi network.

"Once the software is installed, it begins searching for WiFi hot spots in a user's area and allows them to map all the hot spots in their vicinity through the Google Maps application. The eventual goal, WeFi says, is to create a global map of wireless hot spots that can be used as a reference for members of the WeFi community who want to find Internet access in new locations."

In this Q&A with WeFi CEO Zur Feldman, Reed discusses how WeFi works, how it enables WiFi connectivity, and how the company plans to make money from creating a virtual global WiFi network.

Full interview from the IDG web site.