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Neighborhood WiFi Security
picaro writes to tell us the New York Times has an interesting piece about the abundance of open wireless connections available due to the lack of the average user's knowledge. The article also takes a look at how the prevalent attitude is that tapping in to these connections does not equate to stealing and why still other may disagree. From the article: "Piggybacking, the usually unauthorized tapping into someone else's wireless Internet connection, is no longer the exclusive domain of pilfering computer geeks or shady hackers cruising for unguarded networks. Ordinarily upstanding people are tapping in. As they do, new sets of Internet behaviors are creeping into America's popular culture."
Actually, it is 100% possible for you to set up traffic bandwidth shaping so that any particular IP is only allowed a certain amount of bandwidth, for example.
... It's a bit technical but a useful resource nonetheless.
Use a UNIX-like machine as a router/firewall for your network, and you suddenly have amazingly detailed networking possibilities within your reach. I strongly suggest reading the Linux Network Administrator's Guide. Even though it's getting a little outdated it has some downright cool-ass information within.
Of course, few users are technically adept enough to actually set up a router like this, but I'm sure it has been used a lot for people who want to keep their wifi access "open", but safely limited.
On a related note there are pre-built linux firewall packages out there which will surprisingly easily allow you to do what I was just talking about.
Also, here is the Linux Advanced Routing & Traffic Control HOWTO
Many ISPs in the UK now actually give out free wireless routers with a new broadband connection - it is seen as an extra draw for new customers and a marketing advantage to get them to sign up for more expensive packages. And no, most are not encrypted by default.
BT Broadband give away a wireless modem with their more expensive connections and Wannadoo include a wireless router and claim that it is secure, although I haven't tried it.
A latent existence
They don't mean that you CAN'T use more than one computer, just that they won't support such a setup. If you ring their tech supp and you're using anything but the standard hardware they sent you (usually a USB modem) they'll refuse to help.
It works fine in Helsinki, Finland. The bikes are just bad enough that no one would seriously consider stealing one, but they still beat walking.
It didn't work out in Turku, Finland. They all eventually ended up in the river.
The article also takes a look at how the prevalent attitude is that tapping in to these connections does not equate to stealing and why still other may disagree.
Remember the Slashdot article about the man arrested in St Petersburg, Florida for stealing wireless internet access from another man?