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Unsecured Wi-Fi to Become Illegal?

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the only-criminals-use-unsecured-wireless dept.

echucker writes "News.com is carrying a story for a draft proposal for law in Westchester County in New York state that would outlaw unsecured wi-fi connections. Public internet access would require a network gateway server with a firewall and also require home/business office users to install firewalls to protect personal info, even if their connection is encrypted. Violations would carry fines of $250-$500."

8 of 418 comments (clear)

  1. Wardriving Police Cars by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I can see it now :)

  2. This is absurd by TFGeditor · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It is like fining somebody for leaving their door unlocked and they get burglarized.

    This is the epitome of a YRO violation. Interesting it was posted under the Hardware banner.

    --
    Ignorance is curable, stupid is forever.
  3. Is this because of the telco's? by koan · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Is this a response to the Google plans and various other implimentations of free wireless?
    These legislators have gotten downright dangerous, I also wonder, how uesful is an open network for hacking?
    If you were up to no good is an open AP the way to do it?

    --
    "If any question why we died, Tell them because our fathers lied."
  4. Luckily it is just a proposal. by Nichotin · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This law would be impossible to enforce anyway. You would have to send a task around to track down all unsecured access points, then bust in the doors of a whole lot of white middle class people.

    --
    Dvorak on Doomtech
  5. Speeding also illegal, as is cheating on taxes by Gothmolly · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Um, just making something illegal doesn't stop it. Try doing the speed limit, in Westchester county of all places.
    To me, this sounds like one of those "I'm protecting your children from Teh Internets" moves that politicians do periodically when they have to remind the masses that its time to vote.
    How about holding someone responsible (gasp) for any malicious activity that originates FROM their network?

    --
    I want to delete my account but Slashdot doesn't allow it.
  6. Right. That'll work. by Morky · · Score: 5, Funny

    If being an idiot were illegal, most of my company would be in prison.

  7. Will they also require we lock our front doors? by tinrobot · · Score: 5, Interesting

    What ever happened to personal choice?

    If I want to leave my data connection open for any number of reasons, that's my business. If I want to leave my front door open or not lock my car, that's my business too...

    Ridiculous.

  8. So who gets to enforce it? by mrmaster · · Score: 5, Funny

    When I read this article I was thinking that I wouldn't mind having the job of enforcing this. Then I realized I would have to have the mindset of a parking enforcer to do something like this. Hell, let the parking enforcers take care of this as well. They love a good power trip. Parking enforcer: "Ma'am, your wireless access point is not running a firewall." Some old lady: "My what isn't on fire?" Parking enforcer: "your internet. It is against the law to allow others to use your internet for free" Some Old lady: "Oh, my 10 yr old grandson got that internet thing to work? Isn't he wonderful? He is so smart." Parking enforcer: "Ma'am, here is a ticket for running an unsecure access point. Don't let it happen again." Some Old lady: "How dare you come to my house and threaten me with this! I've been living here for 30 years and have never been treated like this! Parking enforcer: "Ma'am, have a nice day" Slow day at work. I apologize