[oclug] The Feds can own your WLAN too

[Robert Brockway]

On Tue, 5 Apr 2005, Kevin Everets wrote:

> I don't view others using my wireless as a crime, though.  I actually

That's fine.  I was talking to those who do, for whatever reason, want to 
keep their networks private.

> like that I'm allowed to share my connection (due to actually having a
> decent ISP), and by using something like NoCatSplash
> (http://nocat.net) I can inform people that are in the area that I'm
> providing this service for them, and hope that they will do the same

While I can see where you are coming from be aware that emerging laws may 
introduce liability.  No I don't like this but it does appear to be 
existing playing field.

> Hoarding one's internet connection (even when it's unmetered and
> running idle for the most part) seems to be the status quo these days,
> which I find sad.  Viewing people who share their internet connection

I remember when the 'net was a truly open place.  Breakins were a pretty 
rare event.  Unfortunately some of those who came online in recent years 
don't have respect for the technology and the tendency to abuse the 
network has risen exponentially.

> as negligent or incompetent hurts the sharing culture which I'm a part

I'm with you on this Kevin but some of the people who connect to your 
network will not hold the same position as you and I.  Some of them may 
attempt to break into your systems or use your systems to anonymously 
attack elsewhere.  They are the ones who have wrecked the openness of the 
net, not the people who try to secure it now that these people are 
online.

> of.  The internet was built on shared connections between peers and
> has been gradually transforming into an entirely different thing based
> on services provided by large organizations and consumers of those
> services.  This is a trend I'd like to see reverse, and will do what I
> can to help that happen.

I see this as a seperate issue to the need to secure the network.

I agree that we need to make sure the Internet retains its peer to peer 
character.  Even in such an arrangement the need to secure the network now 
exists if we want to have any hope of keeping private information private.

Cheers,
	Rob

-- 
Robert Brockway B.Sc.
Senior Technical Consultant, OpenTrend Solutions Ltd.
Phone: +1-416-669-3073 Email: rbrockway at opentrend.net http://www.opentrend.net
OpenTrend Solutions: Reliable, secure solutions to real world problems.
Contributing Member of Software in the Public Interest (http://www.spi-inc.org)