EFF And Others Push For Open Wifi APs Everywhere

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

EFF And Others Push For Open Wifi APs Everywhere

Posted by Unknown on Tuesday October 30, 2012 @11:25AM from the feels-so-dirty dept.

netbuzz writes "Forging ahead with an initiative that proved controversial when introduced last year, the Electronic Frontier Foundation and nine other groups today are advancing the Open Wireless Movement to encourage ubiquitous sharing of Internet access. 'We envision a world where sharing one's Internet connection is the norm,' said EFF Activist Adi Kamdar, in a press release. 'A world of open wireless would encourage privacy, promote innovation, and benefit the public good, giving us network access whenever we need it. And everyone — users, businesses, developers, and Internet service providers — can get involved to help make it happen.'"

16 of 253 comments (clear)

Min score:

Reason:

Sort:

First... by Mitreya · 2012-10-30 11:29 · Score: 5, Funny

We envision a world where sharing one's Internet connection is the norm,' said EFF Activist Adi Kamdar, in a press release. 'A world of open wireless would encourage privacy, promote innovation, and benefit the public good, giving us network access whenever we need it.
The person sharing their connection has to NOT be concerned with being successfully sued.
Some judges realize that IP != person, others do not.
I lived with roommates, and it was somewhat of a concern that the "owner" of the internet account will be the one responsible for anything that may get tied to that IP address.
1. Re:First... by hawkinspeter · 2012-10-30 12:22 · Score: 5, Interesting
  
  I currently run an open wireless SSID as a guest connection and I am not concerned with being sued. Here in the UK, I don't think the law has yet been tested that you are held liable for someone else's actions. To my mind, if there's something suspicious about what "my" IP address is downloading, then they have to find proof that I'm responsible (e.g. files on my computer).
  
  It's so easy these days to set up a secure internal wireless network and also a guest open network with appropriate bandwidth limits that I'm surprised that more people don't do it. I'm not concerned if people are freeloading as long as my connection isn't noticeably slowed down. I've got unlimited bandwidth, so why should I care if someone uses a little bit of it?
  
  So far, I've not seen anyone camping outside my house so that they can download stuff and I've not noticed any high usage, so I think that most people tend to be reasonable with freely offered services.
  
  --
  You're a temporary arrangement of matter sliding towards oblivion in a cold, uncaring universe
2. Re:First... by ls671 · 2012-10-30 12:46 · Score: 5, Informative
  
  Forget about QoS, qdisc with htb for example work fine for that use case. You need to use queues, QoS typically only works on your LAN if your devices honor it. Most providers do not care about the QoS flags you set. Sometimes, setting QoS flags have the opposite effect than one might expect once the packet on your provider side. I do not bother setting QoS flags.
  I started to use queues to enhance VOIP calls and it works perfectly. I then extended it for all kind of use cases, sharing a connection being one of them. Understanding how IP works helps a lot in managing this. /sbin/tc qdisc add dev $DEV root handle 1: htb default 0x10
  etc...
  see: man tc (traffic control)
  
  --
  Everything I write is lies, read between the lines.
3. Re:First... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-10-30 13:16 · Score: 5, Interesting
  
  I do. If I didn't have a reason to be concerned I'd free my connection. If I had the time to setup my router to work as a guest access point and force users through Tor I'd definitely do it. I certainly promote others providing such access and do contribute to Tor as a node.
4. Re:First... by Tokolosh · 2012-10-30 14:22 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  most people tend to be reasonable with freely offered services.
  Yes, most people are responsible. It is that other small percentage that is the problem.
  I submit that the unreasonable percentage is vanishingly small. I am sick and tired of the child molester trope. If all systems were open (and mine has been wide open for years), then we would not be discussing this nonsense. Grow a pair, America!
  Spartacus
  
  --
  Prove anything by multiplying Huge Number times Tiny Number
So long as... by pongo000 · 2012-10-30 11:34 · Score: 5, Insightful

...the EFF is willing to back me up with unlimited legal support when the FBI comes knocking at my door because my next door neighbors turn out to be pedos, I'm all for it.
Bandwidth no longer unlimited? by Rossman · 2012-10-30 11:35 · Score: 5, Insightful

How do they think this will work in a world where we're all getting dinged for bandwidth? If connections were still unlimited, great, but otherwise this is a bit of a non-starter.
Re:No. by Spy+Handler · 2012-10-30 11:36 · Score: 5, Insightful

That's the point. If everybody opened their WiFi AP, then an IP address will become meaningless as a way of identifying a person to arrest or sue.
It'll never happen though, what's to stop all the neighborhood leeches from freeloading off my cable modem and save themselves $50 a month?
Re:No. by Jah-Wren+Ryel · 2012-10-30 11:47 · Score: 5, Insightful

It'll never happen though, what's to stop all the neighborhood leeches from freeloading off my cable modem and save themselves $50 a month?
Bandwidth limits on unknown users. If all they need to do is check their email and read the web, then you could have 20 such leeches and never really notice it.

--
When information is power, privacy is freedom.
ISP by Dan+East · 2012-10-30 11:53 · Score: 5, Funny

And everyone — users, businesses, developers, and Internet service providers — can get involved to help make it happen.
That just made an executive at an ISP laugh really, really hard.

--
Better known as 318230.
1. Re:ISP by terbeaux · 2012-10-30 12:42 · Score: 4, Interesting
  
  I use MonkeyBrains.net. When they came to install my point-to-point wireless connection they left an open AP called "monkeybrains". It is balls slow but they put one in that piggybacks on my link (below network layer). My neighbor also uses the service. When his home server went down and he was restoring his 5TB backup over his residential wireless connection they sent him and email and asked him about his spike in usage. He explained to them what was happening and they said that the wireless connections weren't really meant for that type of use. Then they invited him to bring the machine down to their office to plug it directly into a switch. The only reason why the "executives" from MonkeyBrains would be laughing is because they love the idea and the EFF. Local ISPs are pretty awesome. Setting up a WISP can be done with relatively low overhead using a cooperative model.
Safer than you think (I ran an Open AP before) by ron_ivi · 2012-10-30 11:53 · Score: 5, Interesting

It's not as risky as you might think.
When I lived in SF I set up my home network to provide free wireless to the coffee shop at the end of the block.
QOS routing prevented guest bandwidth from interfering with my own. I put the wireless thing outside my firewall to protect my network.
Occasional casual monitoring suggested that no-one abused the network from either a bandwidth or content point of view. And the only thing it had protecting it was a "please don't abuse this or I'll take it down" welcome message.
TL/DR: Most people are basically good, so it (like wikipedia) works and isn't abused as much as you might thing..
Re:Your IP by hawkinspeter · 2012-10-30 12:28 · Score: 4, Insightful

You're so right. Cower and be scared of the law! Don't even do things which are legal, but might be construed as undesirable by your Masters. Lower your head and try not to be noticed as you hide in the flock.

--
You're a temporary arrangement of matter sliding towards oblivion in a cold, uncaring universe
Re:No. by sjames · 2012-10-30 13:28 · Score: 4, Informative

It'll never happen though, what's to stop all the neighborhood leeches from freeloading off my cable modem and save themselves $50 a month?
Your ability to throttle or ban them at any time for any reason at all including amusement.
Re:They're forgetting existing law. by girlintraining · 2012-10-30 14:28 · Score: 4, Insightful

Solution: Set SSID to "Have You Tried 'password'?"

--
#fuckbeta #iamslashdot #dicemustdie
HADOPI by manu0601 · 2012-10-30 14:42 · Score: 4, Informative

The MPAA/RIAA will fight that like hell. They probably already have a law for that just waiting to be lobbied through congress. In France, they managed Sarkozy's governement to pass HADOPI, which include a 1500 euros fine for unsecured WiFi access. Of course this is just unaplicable, and nobody has been convicted yet despite country-wide law violations, but still, they have a weapon.