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EFF Reminds Everyone Open Wi-Fi Hotspots Are a Good Thing
Launches New Coalition to Build Secure, Open Technology
In the wake of hurricane Sandy, the Electronic Frontier Foundation has taken the opportunity to remind everyone that open Wi-Fi hotspots are not a bad thing. Open Wi-Fi hotspots have been repeatedly vilified by law enforcement because they make Detectives do a little extra work. They've also been vilified by the entertainment industry, who has tried to argue (quite unsuccessfully) that running open hotspots is a negligent and criminal activity. The EFF, in stark contrast, has launched a new open wireless movement that they say will be dedicated to building technologies that will let users open their wireless networks without compromising their security or sacrificing bandwidth:
quote:
The Open Wireless Movement envisions a world where people readily have access to open wireless Internet connections—a world where sharing one's network in a way that ensures security yet preserves quality is the norm. Much of this vision is attainable now. In fact, many people have routers that already feature "guest networking" capabilities. To make this even easier, we are working with a coalition of volunteer engineers to build technologies that would make it simple for Internet subscribers to portion off their wireless networks for guests and the public while maintaining security, protecting privacy, and preserving quality of access. And we're working with advocates to help change the way people and businesses think about Internet service.
The group says they also hope to educate consumers and has debunk most of the common myths about the "evil" of open Wi-Fi, with a focus on crazy concepts such as fostering human connectivity through intelligence, empathy and sharing.

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ds7
join:2012-11-07
Montpelier, VT

1 edit

3 recommendations

ds7

Member

One huge problem - you will get blamed for any misconduct

Suppose your external IP is flagged for copyright infringement, terrorist communications, abuse of minors or something else that would get the attention of law enforcement. The real culprit was your guest user, and maybe you could prove it - but long before you could get anyone to understand this, the police would have raided your house with a tank, bashing down the door, shooting your dog, terrorizing and arresting anyone present, and hauling away all your electronics.

Who can afford that? Who would risk it? Police are clueless about anything technical, and can't even be made to understand that photography in public is legal, even when there are memos from police chiefs. Everything I'm saying here is based on actual news reports which I can't be bothered to look up, but they are easy to find I'm sure.

Now I'm off to see what the EFF has to say about this incredibly obvious problem with their idea.

After looking at their page: The right network ID and a sticker on the door? Seriously? (Amount of harm x probability) > benefit