GNOME Bugzilla – Bug 691722
Selecting "Disconnect" does not disconnect, but merely releases the DHCP address.
Last modified: 2014-11-23 18:51:52 UTC
When selecting the "Disconnect" option from the drop down menu of the Network-Manager-Applet, the interface does not disconnect from the network, but merely releases the DHCP address. The interface is still able to communicate with the network using its mac address. This may cause an unsuspecting user to have a false sense of security while being hacked by an intruder or infected with malware. I recommend that the word "Disconnect" be replaced with "Release DHCP", in order to avoid confusion. Alternatively the "Disconnect" option can be removed from the applet altogether, since total isolation from the network can be achieved with the "Disable" option. I cannot think of a reason why a user would want to stay connected without an IP address, other than listening in on network broadcasts anonymously. For more information please see this bug report: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/network-manager-applet/+bug/1090543
Confirmed by Marc Deslauriers on 2013-01-09.
(In reply to comment #0) > When selecting the "Disconnect" option from the drop down menu of the > Network-Manager-Applet, the interface does not disconnect from the network, but > merely releases the DHCP address. The interface is still able to communicate > with the network using its mac address. > > This may cause an unsuspecting user to have a false sense of security while > being hacked by an intruder or infected with malware. Disconnect doesn't mean to disable an interface and is being used in NetworkManager itself, not just in nm-applet. > I recommend that the word "Disconnect" be replaced with "Release DHCP", in > order to avoid confusion. But disconnect doesn't mean just to release DHCP either, so this title would be essentially incorrect. > Alternatively the "Disconnect" option can be removed from the applet > altogether, since total isolation from the network can be achieved with the > "Disable" option. I think it's useful to have a way to quickly disconnect from a wireless network for example. > I cannot think of a reason why a user would want to stay > connected without an IP address, other than listening in on network broadcasts > anonymously. For example to get disconnected from a wireless network as opposed to a wired network. I believe it is reasonable to use the terminology that's being used with NetworkManager proper. A discussion on the terminology used inside NetworkManager might be better suited for a mailing list.