Wi-Fi freeloaders? Not in our house! Photo: Institut Polytechnique de Grenoble

There’s that guy again, cruising down the block, scanning the airwaves for an open Wi-Fi network named “LINKSYS” or “NETGEAR” that the owner didn’t bother to password-protect. Maybe he’s just a freeloader. But what if he’s an identity thief out to view your browsing history and — gasp — maybe even your bank statements! Wouldn’t it be nice if you could both beautify your home and make your Wi-Fi network just disappear?

French researchers from the Grenoble Institute of Technology and the Centre Technique du Papier have developed a way to do both, with a wallpaper that shields your home from Wi-Fi signals — incoming or outgoing.

The paper blocks electromagnetic radiation in the frequencies used by Wi-Fi, letting radio waves and cell-phone signals pass through without interference.

You’ll need to get creative with your interior design, using the paper only on exterior walls so you don’t block Wi-Fi inside the house. But it’s the perfect things to slap up on the bedroom walls of your Facebook-addicted teen.

(hat tip to Ars Technia)