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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.""
"Minimum security measures" shall include, but not be limited to: (a) installing a network firewall; (b) changing the system's default SSID (network name); or (c) disabling SSID broadcasting.
Any commercial business that stores, utilizes or otherwise maintains personal information electronically shall be required to take minimum security measures as defined herein to secure and prevent unauthorized access to all such information.
So it does look like just changing the SSID would be enough to fulfill the requirements of the law; however, the real purpose of the law was just to bring wireless security to the attention of these businesses. If it inspires a few of them to take a minute to evaluate their wireless security and then do something about it, chances are they will do more than just change the SSID. The fines available aren't severe enough to compel anyone into compliance.
What?
There's a name for that kind of guy...
"Busybody"
And it's not a good name. I'd hate to be his neighbor. Are you suggesting that Westchester county ask for vigilante^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H volunteer network scanners? How about we ask that your neighbors check to see if you're violating any of the "laws of nature" in your bedroom?
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BMO
But I just had to RTFA on this one, and it only applies to businesses where CC#s are stored on the network (which should be limited to Visa and Mastercard headquarters), not your average joe who couldn't be bothered to RTF huge notice duct-taped to his new router saying to enable wep/wpa/anything. Or that's how I read it anyways.
How are sites slashdotted when nobody reads TFAs?
I already have several calls from clients who want me to shut off open access in their places of business. Yes, they have firewalls and are protected, but the DA Jenine Pirro has come out and said how open wireless hotspots help pedophiles and stalkers and these business owners do not want to get involved with this political hot potatoe in any way whatsoever. Their feeling is that it simply is not worth the risk anymore.
Ummmm... pretty much every single enforcement agency (public or not, examples: the BSA, your local community board) has a mechanism for the public to report violations.
It really depends on how the enforcement agency feels about what you're reporting. If they don't care, you get ignored and called a busybody.
To put it in perspective: Would you make the same complaint about people who reported building or health code violations?
[Fuck Beta]
o0t!
The FCC regulates radio spectrum and the Internet, because both are Interstate services.
Local laws making bandwidth stealing a crime will also likely get overturned in federal court.There's something in this country called the SEPARATION OF POWERS. It gives the federal government the right to regulate: "Interstate Commerce". Since radio waves don't respect state boundaries, courts have determined they are INTERSTATE in nature!!
The Internet has also been defined as an Interstate service.Local Govts have NO RIGHT to regulate EITHER of these! Recently, Florida passed a law making the operation of a pirate radio station within the state a felony. It WILL be struck down by the first appeal of any conviction. Why? AGAIN, because the states DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT to regulate Interstate Commerce!!