Re: [PLUG] Wireless access - from a security expert

["Brian Vagnoni" <bvagnoni@v-system.net>]

Listen bandwidth is a finite thing. All those unlimited plans people have aren't unlimited. Verizonwireless for example has a 5gb/month maximum allowance on those nifty EDVO cards. On unlimited plans which is a marketing term not an agreement of service, they can shut you down to 200k if you go over it. It is in your contract.

All I'm saying is that maybe you should label it "your name here" Free Public WiFi so that people feel comfortable using it and that they aren't STEALING from their neighbors. You guys seem to be all about polite and warm fuzzy free open everything well then "MAKE IT SO". :)

Just remember unlimited plans aren't unlimited. They did away with that as a service term in the 90's. Well at least most of the big ISP and carriers.

Brian Vagnoni

Just because I'm advocating not stealing from your neighbor doesn't mean I'm spreading FUD. The law is clear on it, however in everything I've read.

It's no different to the law Brent it's theft of service plain and simple.

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From: Brent Saner [mailto:brent.saner@gmail.com]
To: Philadelphia Linux User's Group Discussion List [mailto:plug@lists.phillylinux.org]
Sent: Mon, 10 Dec 2007 06:45:47 -0500
Subject: Re: [PLUG] Wireless access - from a security expert

the key difference here is we aren't hosting our own servers on his network, thus sucking up all his bandwidth.
connecting to a website hosted in japan and making long-distance calls to japan are very, very different things, especially in the price area.

trust me, i'm all about security- i was just relating to some people that when i wipe i hard drive, i first do a write completely with random data, then completely with zeros, and THEN i do 20 passes for the wipe. at least. no, i'm not exaggerating. but at the same time, i believe in sharing. if it's not time-efficient to share your wireless, then don't- but. BUT. if you have the time and means to set up a secured open point (audits take a long time to really plan out), then by all means do so.

i'm hesitant with setting up open wi-fi with OTHERS, though, because they'd do foolish things like share their entire root directory. to everyone on the network. with rwx access.

i think the key thing here is education. if you're EDUCATED, then by all means you should share and encourage the use of your network.

the biggest security hole is not in the software, it's in the wetware.

On Dec 9, 2007 11:51 PM, Brian Vagnoni <bvagnoni@v-system.net > wrote:

Steven since you seem to like open networks at home, you wouldn't mine if we all come over and splice into your phone line and make long distance calls to Japan? :)

Brian Vagnoni

--
Brent Saner
215.264.0112(cell)
215.362.7696(residence)

http://www.thenotebookarmy.org

Bill Gates is to hacking as Sid Vicious was to the Sex Pistols: no talent, everyone hates him, and he's just in it for the fame and money.

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