xmrocks
Premium,MVM
join:2003-09-23
clubs:  
 ·Comcast
| The way I see it...
Is if you are technology-saavy enough to setup or own a Wi-Fi hotspot, then you *should* know the risks of the leaving the hotspot open to anyone who sees it.
I say don't warn the user. It's their own problem to deal with, IMO.
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Team Discovery Member!
XM411.com/MyRadioStore.us for all of your XM needs! |
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Rhobite
Premium
join:2002-02-24
Cambridge, MA
clubs:
1 edit | Don't get involved
This is really a situation where it's best not to involve yourself. At best, you fix one of a huge number of unsecured hotspots. At worst, you get brought up on hacking charges. All it takes is one paranoid homeowner to call the police and have you arrested for attacking their network. Unless you really care about being a good samaritan (and aren't there far better causes to spend your time helping?), it's best to just not get involved at all.
And if you discovered the hotspot wardriving, don't even think about letting the owner know. Even if you're well-intentioned, you're still probably confessing to a crime.
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Jimmysquid.com - I take pictures. |
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File Quit
Mac Geek
Premium
join:2002-11-28
| I would!!!
Since I do an on the side consulting business setting up networks, repairing computers and building them, then finding unsecure networks and notifying people would benefit me and the other person with the unsecured network. more $$$ for me and security for them so they dont have people snooping data.
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Mozilla Firefox. Switch today to rid yourself of IE and its flaws. »www.mozilla.org/firefox |
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averagedude
join:2002-01-30
Mesa, AZ | Open hotspots
I have 3 neighbors with open WAP's.
I have spoke with all 3. They each say "I have nothing anyone would want". Obviously missing the point totally.
I am good and do not leach off their internet access, but what about roaming spammers? |
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odog
Cable Centric Vendor Biased
Premium
join:2001-08-05
Norcross, GA
clubs:
·Comcast
·Metrocast Communic..
 ·Vonage
1 edit | my personal favorite
is printing stuff like.
"thanks for letting me use your internet access"
"i changed the password on your router to xxxxx"
"wireless networks are very secure"
this requires they have a shared printer, but with XP and bountiful wireless networks... it's happens pretty often:)
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disclaimer: my opinions are my own, my employer is not responsible. |
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SnowyOne
Premium
join:2003-04-05
Kailua, HI | 'Sir, Your Hotspot is Open'
Kudos to the copy editor, great headline! |
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atangel
Now What??
Premium
join:2002-02-18
Bronx, NY
| reply to Rhobite
Re: Don't get involved
I always thought "no." Mostly the same reasons.
1) Since they aren't savvy enough to lock themselves down they'll think you are hacking them (how did you know??)
2) Sometimes I think yes, but I remember 1 above.
There are 5 unsecured APs I can see from my living room. Too weak to connect though. My own wireless router is locked down and broadcast is disabled.
Then there is the Internet cafe/computer repair shop across the street from me. It has an unsecured AP that I can see from my house an access from my stoop. How savvy is that?
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The reason you think I'm way on the left is 'cause you're so far to the right.
Dell Dimension, XP Pro, 2.4 Ghz, 512MB, BEFSX41, ZAP 5, NOD32, BOClean, a2, Adaware, Spybot, MW Pro, The Bat! |
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fire100_old
Premium
join:2002-08-09
Michigan
clubs:
| reply to averagedude
Re: Open hotspots
said by averagedude  :
I have 3 neighbors with open WAP's.
I have spoke with all 3. They each say "I have nothing anyone would want". Obviously missing the point totally.
I am good and do not leach off their internet access, but what about roaming spammers?
They may not care now, but when someone drives by to download a ton of music, and file share with their connection, and they get a letter from RIAA, they may then.
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My Weather Page |
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pcdebb
RIP dadkins
Premium
join:2000-12-03
Tampa, FL
clubs: | reply to xmrocks
Re: The way I see it...
in my infancy of wardriving, i did a "net send" to the network. depending on my mood, either it was comical or very mean.  |
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B777300
join:2002-01-02 | Depends
Some people would like it and thank you for it while some i guess can tell you its non of your bussines.
just my 2 cents.
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Can you say fiber optics? |
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jaa
Premium,MVM
join:2000-06-13 | No Good Deed will go Unpunished
Therefore, I suggest saying nothing. |
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outspoken72
An Irish Jayhawk
Premium
join:2000-10-03 | reply to odog
Re: my personal favorite
I have done the same many times. Or if they had pics in their "My pics" folder, have printed the pic with a message. |
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-Bob-
@qwest.net
| #1 Rule of Wardriving
Don't ask, don't tell, don't question. I remember when I did tell an employee at a certain restaurant about their access. Didn't even know what I was talking about, but I'm sure the boss was notified.
Even if you do tell them, you might just be wasting your time. This was my mistake. The hotspot is still unsecured, but now I get the feeling someone is always watching me.
It's like they want to secure it, but don't know how. |
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Nam Vet
Premium
join:2001-12-03
Allentown, PA | Hell no
I read, not too long ago, someone being arrested for doing that!
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There's No Place Like 127. 0. 0. 1 |
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SlickEnW
Premium
join:2003-01-21
Seattle, WA
clubs: | Yea,
as much as i would like to help the tons of noobies around my hood with their wi-fi its best i stay out if it and let them deal with it, they won't let me do anything about it anyway :P. |
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NoelC
D S L R Bliss
Premium,MVM
join:2003-09-03
Florida | reply to jaa
Bravo!
quote:
No Good Deed will go Unpunished
The most sage advice I have seen in a very long time.
-Noel |
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djtim21
It's all good
Premium
join:2003-12-22
Buffalo Grove, IL
clubs:
| reply to Nam Vet
Re: Hell no
This is a funny subject, as just the other day - I too was having issues with my Wifi. My router is locked down with wep/mac addressing & SSID off. So, I rebooted the router, But in the meantime, I was still able to surf. Found out one of my neighbors had a open router. It was a netgear, I tried the defaults and guess what - I'm in. It was set to the same channel as mine, So as a favor, I locked it down for him. (also changed the channel so that it wouldn't inner fear with my router.)
I didn't change the password on the router, but I turned of SSID put WEP on and Mac, as soon as I enabled the MAC, It disconnect me. Hopefully this will stop other people from getting in, but the owner will still be able to change anything on there.
I've only done this once. This is how I was a good neighbor - Just like State Farm |
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xrobertcmx
Premium
join:2001-06-18
Sterling, VA
clubs:
 ·Verizon FIOS
·Comcast
| I'm not sure
My take is that if I know who it is I will tell them, otherwise it is their responsibility. I know the last wireless router came with a little card saying to change the password and turn on WEP. Turning on WEP was a step.
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4 More years and we won't have a country. |
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Galvage
join:2004-02-11
Taconite, MN
| They could be like me in that they purposely leave the hotspot open.
I myself use open hotspots all the time for getting the research I need for class. I only feel that I should return the favor to those who might also need it. Of course my open hotspot is also secluded inside of a wired router so its an entity of a network by itself as not to interfere with the security I have setup. |
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raythompsontn
join:2001-01-11
Oliver Springs, TN
| reply to djtim21
Re: Hell no
said by djtim21 :
(also changed the channel so that it wouldn't inner fear with my router.)
I doubt your router or your neighbors router has any such emotions such as FEAR, especially INNER FEAR.
Interfere would have been a much better choice. |
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