Steal This Wi-Fi
by T. Colin Dodd
Steal This Wi-Fi | WIRED | Commentary by Bruce Schneier
Whenever I talk or write about my own security setup, the one thing that surprises people — and attracts the most criticism — is the fact that I run an open wireless network at home. There’s no password. There’s no encryption. Anyone with wireless capability who can see my network can use it to access the internet.
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. But to some observers, it’s both wrong and dangerous.
I’m told that uninvited strangers may sit in their cars in front of my house, and use my network to send spam, eavesdrop on my passwords, and upload and download everything from pirated movies to child pornography. As a result, I risk all sorts of bad things happening to me, from seeing my IP address blacklisted to having the police crash through my door.
January 16th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
I applaud your sense of giving to the community - yet I would question your caution.
I’ve often thought about the untold billions of megabits of internet access that go unused - yet bought and paid for. I know very well of many who might benefit from such a sense of charity - to use this as a way to find a job, educate themselves, raise them selves up another notch and in the process benefit society as a whole.
Yet I think - in the end - that the danger outweighs the potential benefit - as your most likely “subscribers” will be those whom will do just the things “you’re told about”.
I must apologize for my lack of faith in my common man - yet it only comes from years of brutal experience.