[wsfii-discuss] Fwd: [india-gii] poor WiFi encryption a security risk

Thu Sep 18 13:16:01 UTC 2008

True, but your analogy isn't complete, in my opinion. 

Roads are patrolled by police and sometimes cctv. You need a license
to drive and are subject to random inspection. The postal system puts
safeguards in place to deal with threats. Cellular networks are
not free and open and they also monitor and track usage. 

What safeguards are put into open WiFi networks? 
How are they patrolled and/or monitored?

Closing the 'networks' you pointed out would indeed have serious
implications to business, life, and liberty. Does closing down
(or securing) WiFi have the same kind of consequences? hmm...

David

On Thu, 2008-09-18 at 14:44 +0200, Alexander List wrote:
> wlanmac wrote:
> > It depends on what flavor of wireless security you are using. Though,
> > with so many open networks, I'm not sure it's worth going after the
> > secured networks unless the attacker it targeting someone specific.
> > Maybe terrorists are using the WiFi for it's convenience over sending
> > e-mails from hacked machines on the Internet :)
> 
> As with all services/systems/tools abused for malicious purposes: You do 
> not want to deny useful service to the majority of well-behaving users 
> just because some black sheep are abusing the service.
> 
> Do you want to shut down the international postal system because bombs 
> or anthrax could be sent in packages/letters?
> Do you want to shut down cellphone networks because someone could use a 
> cellphone to remotely detonate a bomb?
> Do you want to block all roads because someone could use them to drive 
> car bombs to their target?
> 
> The benefits of open WiFi infrastructure outweigh the possible risks by 
> orders of magnitude. Terrorism and crime are problems of 
> society/politics, and you cannot fight these problems efficiently with 
> technical means. If you do so, the "collateral damage" to legitimate 
> users are severe, and the "bad guys" have achieved part of their goal: 
> to spread fear, disorder, chaos.
> 
> Just my 5c
> 
> Alex
> 
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