C'mon, you deserve to be infested with spyware if you make a typo!
I think Mavis Beacon should make a USB keyboard that electrifies all of the wrong keys while your typing. Probably need an external tesla coil or something, can't do it all from the USB bus I guess!
For my servers (mostly W2K & RedHat) I do not have them on a physical firewall. I restrict what can be done by blocking ports that aren't needed. I keep the boxes up-to-date.
Realistically, I'm not sure there is much more I can really do other than logging in a checking things out when ever I can (which is often).
It's worked well for me (so far), and I've had server directly on the internet since 1999. I got hit with code-red on a server once.
I've posted earlier thinking about anologies to this whole WiFi/trespass thing.
I think it's fair to say it's difficult to apply an analogy that fits really with WiFi
I think (maybe?) there should be laws specifically written for WiFi (the standard), not just 'general' radio rules/regulations/laws.
Reasoning behind this is, I suspect this use WiFi/go to jail siutation is going to get worse and worse because law enforcement truley doesn't know what to do in certain situations. (WiFi=Criminal Activity mentality)
Blatantly accusing someone of stealing because they are using an open hotspot is insane. If they cracked the encryption key, then this is a different story.
I would just hate to see that it's a percieved crime to use your notebook computer in your car.
Red Alert! Someone is using a portable computer, in their SUV! They must be doing something wrong! Arrest him!
Obviously the guy in the article was up to something, because of his behaviour. Forget the notebook computer, being parked on a street for hours (while your in your car) is kinda fishy to begin with. But this media attention just re-enforces this image that people who use computers in cars are up to no good.
I've said this earlier in the thread, but I'm glad this guy WAS caught.
I don't see it as someone left their door unlocked, I see it as they never even bothered to install a lock! I view open AP's as, come on in, if you need some 'net, get some 'net! Just don't get greedy or do 'bad stuff'.
The guy was doing something wrong, I'm glad he was caught.
I love your comments. This being slashdot, I'm sure someone will try to pin the blame on M$ for this, and if Linux was used, everything would have been fine. I'm also very sure that Linux will soon solve the worlds pollution problem too, and fix all those nasty open access points!
I agree - however, with out getting too technical - the access point is wide open, and the rf is making it to my laptop computer. I am not claiming that I have all the answers here.
I'm just trying to illustrate that the signal is in the public domain spectrum. There is nothing stopping me from monitoring or interacting on a FRS band. If you don't want me to interact with your network, either contain the physical RF signal (difficult/not feasible to do) or utilize a scrambling/encryption method. If I break the encryption then I'm totally to blame, as I view enabled encryption as a statment saying 'stay off my network (please)'
My main point is, I'm not going to be arrested for using the light coming off that persons premesis, so why should I (if I'm not doing something bad) get arrested for using an OPEN access points RF emissions? (public band RF emssions) I'm generalizing, and not necessarily speaking of the case illustrated in the article.
Because this is in the open specturm, and yes, communication is 2-way, whos to say that that persons access point isn't monitoring and using my notebooks RF emissions? A 2-way communications device must send and recieve. So because a device happens to be an access point, does that make the access point somehow a superior RF communcations device then my notebook computers PCMCIA wireless adapter?
His access point is listening to my PCMCIA cards emissions, how dare that access point!
I just don't buy this whole thing. the 2.4 Ghz spectrum as we know it is a public band. Is a device is open on that spectrum, there should be no penalty for accessing that access point to at least see what services are available. Who's to say an access point is connected to the internet?
Remember bbses? They had a login sequence. Everyone was free to call, connect. Not everyone was free to log-in and use the services. There was an authentication process. How are you to know what's there until you connect?
Access Point Open = come on in....
Access Point Locked = go away, don't come in, and if you defeat the lock, then you are trespassing.
Accessing an open access point, in the public spectrum should not equal go to jail.
as an amateur radio opeator I believe we are entitled to use WiFi a little differently, and the gov insists that we keep our access points open (not encrypted), and we're only allowed on the first few channels - high power too. Technically, then if someone who is not a ham radio operator connects to one of our access points (and we are forced by law to keep them open), we can get them into some sort of trouble for access a amateur radio service, not a private 2.4ghz system. So, that's another way of looking at it too. I'm a little fuzzy on the amateur radio laws that apply to the 2.4 ghz band using wifi, but I think I have the concept somewhat correct.
Just throwing yet another 'spin' on the whole thing. - Oh yeah, really sleepy now. And yes, althought this is my logic, at the same time I agree with you too.
If you aren't doing anything illegal with a wide-open connection, then you shouldn't get arrested.
If my neighbour leaves their front porch light on, and I use those light emissions (from the side walk or street) to read a piece a paper at night, am I stealing the light? They are allowing the light rays to go all over the place.
The RF coming off 802.11a/b/g is in the public wavelengths bands. If someone paid the gov big bucks to 'lease' their own band and had an open access point, this would be a different story -- that person would need equipment to access a different (licensed) band... they would be doing so illegally. But we're using a public 2.4ghz band. We're not accessing a computer system, we are accessing a communications system (the net) that was left wide open for us.
I am not trying to confuse the differnt layers of the connection here, but it I think I am illustrating a good point. (I'm sure I could do a better job, I'm pretty darn sleepy right now)
People not knowing that there is a possible 'security threat' with their wireless access point today, is frankley BS. My customers & friends (all ages and experiences) have heard 'horror stories' associated with WiFi access points. First thing I hear from almost everyone now is 'wait a sec, isn't that WiFi stuff unsecure?'
Not the same thing... however, if I leave a gun in an unlocked cabinent and someone uses the gun to kill someone, sure, I'm not going to prison for killing someone. But I'm sure I'm gonna be in big trouble for not properly safe-guarding access to the gun.
Same with the access points. Although YOU didn't commit the crime via your wireless signals and net connection (someone else did) you should be partially to blame for allowing this to happen.
I admit, I have used open access points a few times. I think it's a great service sometimes. The phone companies do not have their shit together for providing affordable wireless medium-high speed internet in a real mobile application just yet. And I think our governments are primarily to blame. Cell phone companies as much money as they make, are still businesses, no different from any other business. The gov rapes these companies in auctions for the air-space/bandwidth. The few times I've used the access points is to access MapQuest when I'm lost. (I have a gps reciver and M$ MapPoint, however it's too much cabling in the car sometimes when you need something fast). Also, yes, I own a street atlas BOOK (paper format) however, when I clean my car out once a month, I forget to put it back in most of the time.
I'd just hate to think that I could get arrested one day because of a cop that has heard of the 'bad shit' associated with wireless. I also hate how the first thing that would come to mind is 'this guy must be accessing child porn'. I think this child porn/fraud..etc.etc.etc is a poor (and most of the time, automatic) excuse to limit the potential of certain technologies.
There is always a down side to a good thing I suppose. The minute there is affordable medium or high-speed wireless access from the mobile telephone companies, I will subsribe and never use an open access point again.
Go ahead and rip apart my logic. I'm not siding with the guy who was illegally using the connection - if he was up to no good, I'm glad he was caught. If you're smart enuf to figure out someone is using your internet wirelessly, then you should be smart enuf to secure or get someone to secure your wifi box for you.
I'm in a bad mood I guess - people have been making my business their business for the past few weeks it seems, maybe it's the heat. I'm a usually a very calm & passive person, but lately I really feel like punching out the next bastard that doesn't mind their own business. That's pretty much what I feel about people trying to get a peek of what I'm using my laptop for in my car. MYOB/or/FOAD
Anyone (partially) agree with what I'm trying to say here?
I've noticed a few here want to Torrent this BBS documentary. Before you do, check out the directors (Jason Scott) web site (bbsdocumentary.com) and consider purchasing a nice brand spankin' new copy!
It looks like he's personally put in at least 3 years and a whack of dough making this film. I'm sure he would appreciate the support as much as we will likely appreciate his efforts on this project (I haven't seen it yet!)
No, I don't work for the RIAA or the MPAA, I'm not a cop and I'm not a priest. And as far as BitTorrent, I'm a bit of a hypocrite because I haven't donated to the BT project as of yet!
Just check out his site before you leech the film, that's my 0000 0010 cents.
Slashdot Mirror
You should like you wanna hook Mavis directly up to the tesla coil
I think Mavis Beacon should make a USB keyboard that electrifies all of the wrong keys while your typing. Probably need an external tesla coil or something, can't do it all from the USB bus I guess!
Realistically, I'm not sure there is much more I can really do other than logging in a checking things out when ever I can (which is often).
It's worked well for me (so far), and I've had server directly on the internet since 1999. I got hit with code-red on a server once.
I think it's fair to say it's difficult to apply an analogy that fits really with WiFi
I think (maybe?) there should be laws specifically written for WiFi (the standard), not just 'general' radio rules/regulations/laws.
Reasoning behind this is, I suspect this use WiFi/go to jail siutation is going to get worse and worse because law enforcement truley doesn't know what to do in certain situations. (WiFi=Criminal Activity mentality)
Blatantly accusing someone of stealing because they are using an open hotspot is insane. If they cracked the encryption key, then this is a different story.
I would just hate to see that it's a percieved crime to use your notebook computer in your car.
Red Alert! Someone is using a portable computer, in their SUV! They must be doing something wrong! Arrest him!
Obviously the guy in the article was up to something, because of his behaviour. Forget the notebook computer, being parked on a street for hours (while your in your car) is kinda fishy to begin with. But this media attention just re-enforces this image that people who use computers in cars are up to no good.
I've said this earlier in the thread, but I'm glad this guy WAS caught.
I like your comment.
The guy was doing something wrong, I'm glad he was caught.
I love your comments. This being slashdot, I'm sure someone will try to pin the blame on M$ for this, and if Linux was used, everything would have been fine. I'm also very sure that Linux will soon solve the worlds pollution problem too, and fix all those nasty open access points!
I'm just trying to illustrate that the signal is in the public domain spectrum. There is nothing stopping me from monitoring or interacting on a FRS band. If you don't want me to interact with your network, either contain the physical RF signal (difficult/not feasible to do) or utilize a scrambling/encryption method. If I break the encryption then I'm totally to blame, as I view enabled encryption as a statment saying 'stay off my network (please)'
My main point is, I'm not going to be arrested for using the light coming off that persons premesis, so why should I (if I'm not doing something bad) get arrested for using an OPEN access points RF emissions? (public band RF emssions) I'm generalizing, and not necessarily speaking of the case illustrated in the article.
Because this is in the open specturm, and yes, communication is 2-way, whos to say that that persons access point isn't monitoring and using my notebooks RF emissions? A 2-way communications device must send and recieve. So because a device happens to be an access point, does that make the access point somehow a superior RF communcations device then my notebook computers PCMCIA wireless adapter?
His access point is listening to my PCMCIA cards emissions, how dare that access point!
I just don't buy this whole thing. the 2.4 Ghz spectrum as we know it is a public band. Is a device is open on that spectrum, there should be no penalty for accessing that access point to at least see what services are available. Who's to say an access point is connected to the internet?
Remember bbses? They had a login sequence. Everyone was free to call, connect. Not everyone was free to log-in and use the services. There was an authentication process. How are you to know what's there until you connect?
Access Point Open = come on in.... Access Point Locked = go away, don't come in, and if you defeat the lock, then you are trespassing.
Accessing an open access point, in the public spectrum should not equal go to jail.
as an amateur radio opeator I believe we are entitled to use WiFi a little differently, and the gov insists that we keep our access points open (not encrypted), and we're only allowed on the first few channels - high power too. Technically, then if someone who is not a ham radio operator connects to one of our access points (and we are forced by law to keep them open), we can get them into some sort of trouble for access a amateur radio service, not a private 2.4ghz system. So, that's another way of looking at it too. I'm a little fuzzy on the amateur radio laws that apply to the 2.4 ghz band using wifi, but I think I have the concept somewhat correct.
Just throwing yet another 'spin' on the whole thing. - Oh yeah, really sleepy now. And yes, althought this is my logic, at the same time I agree with you too.
If my neighbour leaves their front porch light on, and I use those light emissions (from the side walk or street) to read a piece a paper at night, am I stealing the light? They are allowing the light rays to go all over the place.
The RF coming off 802.11a/b/g is in the public wavelengths bands. If someone paid the gov big bucks to 'lease' their own band and had an open access point, this would be a different story -- that person would need equipment to access a different (licensed) band... they would be doing so illegally. But we're using a public 2.4ghz band. We're not accessing a computer system, we are accessing a communications system (the net) that was left wide open for us.
I am not trying to confuse the differnt layers of the connection here, but it I think I am illustrating a good point. (I'm sure I could do a better job, I'm pretty darn sleepy right now)
People not knowing that there is a possible 'security threat' with their wireless access point today, is frankley BS. My customers & friends (all ages and experiences) have heard 'horror stories' associated with WiFi access points. First thing I hear from almost everyone now is 'wait a sec, isn't that WiFi stuff unsecure?'
Not the same thing... however, if I leave a gun in an unlocked cabinent and someone uses the gun to kill someone, sure, I'm not going to prison for killing someone. But I'm sure I'm gonna be in big trouble for not properly safe-guarding access to the gun.
Same with the access points. Although YOU didn't commit the crime via your wireless signals and net connection (someone else did) you should be partially to blame for allowing this to happen.
I admit, I have used open access points a few times. I think it's a great service sometimes. The phone companies do not have their shit together for providing affordable wireless medium-high speed internet in a real mobile application just yet. And I think our governments are primarily to blame. Cell phone companies as much money as they make, are still businesses, no different from any other business. The gov rapes these companies in auctions for the air-space/bandwidth. The few times I've used the access points is to access MapQuest when I'm lost. (I have a gps reciver and M$ MapPoint, however it's too much cabling in the car sometimes when you need something fast). Also, yes, I own a street atlas BOOK (paper format) however, when I clean my car out once a month, I forget to put it back in most of the time.
I'd just hate to think that I could get arrested one day because of a cop that has heard of the 'bad shit' associated with wireless. I also hate how the first thing that would come to mind is 'this guy must be accessing child porn'. I think this child porn/fraud..etc.etc.etc is a poor (and most of the time, automatic) excuse to limit the potential of certain technologies.
There is always a down side to a good thing I suppose. The minute there is affordable medium or high-speed wireless access from the mobile telephone companies, I will subsribe and never use an open access point again.
Go ahead and rip apart my logic. I'm not siding with the guy who was illegally using the connection - if he was up to no good, I'm glad he was caught. If you're smart enuf to figure out someone is using your internet wirelessly, then you should be smart enuf to secure or get someone to secure your wifi box for you.
I'm in a bad mood I guess - people have been making my business their business for the past few weeks it seems, maybe it's the heat. I'm a usually a very calm & passive person, but lately I really feel like punching out the next bastard that doesn't mind their own business. That's pretty much what I feel about people trying to get a peek of what I'm using my laptop for in my car. MYOB/or/FOAD
Anyone (partially) agree with what I'm trying to say here?
I've noticed a few here want to Torrent this BBS documentary. Before you do, check out the directors (Jason Scott) web site (bbsdocumentary.com) and consider purchasing a nice brand spankin' new copy! It looks like he's personally put in at least 3 years and a whack of dough making this film. I'm sure he would appreciate the support as much as we will likely appreciate his efforts on this project (I haven't seen it yet!) No, I don't work for the RIAA or the MPAA, I'm not a cop and I'm not a priest. And as far as BitTorrent, I'm a bit of a hypocrite because I haven't donated to the BT project as of yet! Just check out his site before you leech the film, that's my 0000 0010 cents.