Comments on: Open Wireless Networks – Good for Vacationers, Bad for Your Security http://www.webhostingbuzz.com/blog/2009/06/25/open-wireless-networks-good-for-vacationers-bad-for-your-security/ the official blog of the WebHostingBuzz team Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:14:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Tyler http://www.webhostingbuzz.com/blog/2009/06/25/open-wireless-networks-good-for-vacationers-bad-for-your-security/comment-page-1/#comment-21862 Tyler Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:15:04 +0000 http://www.webhostingbuzz.com/blog/?p=687#comment-21862 It is convenient - sure - and yes, I did benefit from it. The problem with your theory is that you would like people to learn to leave it open securely. I have no problem with that if they *secure* it. But that wasn't the problem with these networks - they were wide open. No security. And in some cases, default settings, default password. It is not fearmongering - in either case, people need to learn how to do it securely. Open networks are a security risk to the internet as well as a crime risk. It is convenient – sure – and yes, I did benefit from it.

The problem with your theory is that you would like people to learn to leave it open securely. I have no problem with that if they *secure* it. But that wasn’t the problem with these networks – they were wide open. No security. And in some cases, default settings, default password.

It is not fearmongering – in either case, people need to learn how to do it securely. Open networks are a security risk to the internet as well as a crime risk.

]]> By: Ugh http://www.webhostingbuzz.com/blog/2009/06/25/open-wireless-networks-good-for-vacationers-bad-for-your-security/comment-page-1/#comment-21861 Ugh Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:45:38 +0000 http://www.webhostingbuzz.com/blog/?p=687#comment-21861 I'm really sick of this fearmongering. Every few weeks the news publishes another sensationalist story about the horrors of open Wi-Fi. With nonsense like this, it's no wonder people are getting arrested for checking their mail on public Wi-Fi networks, counties are passing laws that make it ILLEGAL to operate a Wi-Fi network without encryption, etc. etc. It's absurd. http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20060512/1845239.shtml Unencrypted public Wi-Fi is a great thing, and we should be encouraging users to share their connections and fighting against the stupid laws idiots make to "protect" us. Learn how to do it safely; don't just lock up your network in fear and force travelers to buy access through their cell phones or for-pay APs. Change the default password, set up a virtual SSID with restricted abilities and bandwidth, but don't just close up everything out of paranoia. I have no problem sharing my connection with neighbors and travelers. Why should they have to pay to check their email? You obviously think it's beneficial for there to be free open Wi-Fi nodes for you to check your email with. Imagine how inconvenient it would be if everyone followed your own advice. http://news.cnet.com/2100-1029_3-6088741.html?part=rss&tag=6088741&subj=news http://www.addict3d.org/news/47783/Washington%20Post%20Latest%20To%20Join%20Open%20WiFi%20Fear%20Mongering%20Crusade http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_community_network I’m really sick of this fearmongering. Every few weeks the news publishes another sensationalist story about the horrors of open Wi-Fi.

With nonsense like this, it’s no wonder people are getting arrested for checking their mail on public Wi-Fi networks, counties are passing laws that make it ILLEGAL to operate a Wi-Fi network without encryption, etc. etc. It’s absurd.

http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20060512/1845239.shtml

Unencrypted public Wi-Fi is a great thing, and we should be encouraging users to share their connections and fighting against the stupid laws idiots make to “protect” us.

Learn how to do it safely; don’t just lock up your network in fear and force travelers to buy access through their cell phones or for-pay APs. Change the default password, set up a virtual SSID with restricted abilities and bandwidth, but don’t just close up everything out of paranoia. I have no problem sharing my connection with neighbors and travelers. Why should they have to pay to check their email?

You obviously think it’s beneficial for there to be free open Wi-Fi nodes for you to check your email with. Imagine how inconvenient it would be if everyone followed your own advice.

http://news.cnet.com/2100-1029_3-6088741.html?part=rss&tag=6088741&subj=news

http://www.addict3d.org/news/47783/Washington%20Post%20Latest%20To%20Join%20Open%20WiFi%20Fear%20Mongering%20Crusade

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_community_network

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