CibbuanoLeave your wireless networks open
January 17th 2008 09:49
I've got a wireless router at home, turning our phone-delivered broadband into a sea of wireless connectivity. I love the idea, though in practice, it still has faults...
One thing we were quick to implement was locking down the network. By setting up a secret key on the system, we're able to prevent our connection from being hijacked and used for other people's dirty business.
Bruce Schneier on Wired wrote a hugely popular article on keeping your networks open, letting people use them freely.
It's an interesting idea... and one that has a lot of merit. One thing that stops people from working remotely is the hassles with finding an internet hotspot to connect to. Where?
Schneier proposes leaving your wireless network unprotected and open... it sounds crazy, as if people would definitely steal it, but there's an interesting point behind it.
Why don't people steal old, beatup cars? It's because they're not worth anything... it's the same with Internet connectivity. People want to steal it because it costs a lot of money, especially here in Australia.
Imagine if every house in the neighborhood was broadcasting an open connection? Why would you bother to steal it?
Of course, this ideal scenario depends on everyone having the disposable income to support this crazy scheme.
Still, let's get there!
(found on BoingBoing)
One thing we were quick to implement was locking down the network. By setting up a secret key on the system, we're able to prevent our connection from being hijacked and used for other people's dirty business.
Bruce Schneier on Wired wrote a hugely popular article on keeping your networks open, letting people use them freely.
"To me, it's basic politeness. Providing internet access to guests is kind of like providing heat and electricity, or a hot cup of tea."
It's an interesting idea... and one that has a lot of merit. One thing that stops people from working remotely is the hassles with finding an internet hotspot to connect to. Where?
Schneier proposes leaving your wireless network unprotected and open... it sounds crazy, as if people would definitely steal it, but there's an interesting point behind it.
Why don't people steal old, beatup cars? It's because they're not worth anything... it's the same with Internet connectivity. People want to steal it because it costs a lot of money, especially here in Australia.
Imagine if every house in the neighborhood was broadcasting an open connection? Why would you bother to steal it?
Of course, this ideal scenario depends on everyone having the disposable income to support this crazy scheme.
Still, let's get there!
(found on BoingBoing)
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Comment by Pat
Books Are For Losers
Some people don't like this concept because they argue that what if your neighbour downloads illegal material and then you are blamed!
But this argument works both way because an open network would help hide your illegal activies (*cough* not that any of us do that kind of thing *cough*) because you could say that literally anyone had access to the network and how could they possibly prove it was you!
I am an actual lawyer so you can rely on this in court and you will win 100% (but don't mention my name, thanks)
Comment by Cibbuano
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Comment by Pat
Books Are For Losers
I guess there is the possibility that a court could consider it reckless that you have left open your wireless network and as a result you assisted in a crime being committed, but generally speaking, unless you had some idea about an illegal activity taking place, it would be unreasonable to hold you responsible for someone else's actions.
Of course, all of this is pretty much untested before the courts because it's a new type of scenario, but I wouldn't worry about it too much.
And like I said before, I think it makes it more difficult for you to be chased for things like copyright infringement if you happened to take advantage of friendly and helpful internet pirates.