N.Y. County Mandates Wireless Security

Mynister writes "CNN has an article about Westchester County NY forcing small business to use basic security on their wireless networks. From the article "The law also requires that businesses offering Internet access -- coffeehouses and hotels, for example -- post signs warning that users should have firewalls or other security measures.""

Comments

Re:Hmmm

[TubeSteak]

Actually, it is super-enforceable.

They can do it on the cheap with a few fulltime inspectors walking around with laptops & their eyes open for the notification signs.

In addition, I imagine they'll make some noise in newspapers and whatnot to get computer nerds & other concerned citizens to report any violations of the law.

Stuff like this is very easy to enforce. A friend of mine's father was made an honorary postal inspector and given a card saying so... because he would constantly report on people who were illegaly parked around the local Post Office. They even gave him freebie phone cards & disposable cameras to sweeten the deal and allow him to document the parking violations. And before anyone says the guy had too much free time, he was an insurance appraiser & was in the Post Office twice a day, every day.

Text of the law

[Peyna]

The text of the law can be found here.

Is Starbuck's Secure?

[nickfrommaryland]

From the article:

Some of the unprotected networks were at cafes, hotels or other establishments that offer wireless hot spots to patrons. Other networks, like those at Starbucks, were protected.

The last time I checked, T-Mobile's service is not any more encrypted than a Netgear router taken right out of the box. Likewise, a sign will probably not protect you from much, unless you're a business. Then you can use the sign to protect yourself from liability.