05-01-2003, 08:20 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 118
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Chasing the Wireless Dream? Warchalking/walking/driving - AN ETHICS POLL
With so many more people with PDAs wirelessly enabled - it may be a fair time to wonder....
This is a true story.
It happened last week while setting up my new D-Link 614+ at home.
In preparation for detecting my router during install I had plugged my Socket CF into the Ax 5 and proceeded to plug in and start configuring.
I heard a noise... it was the WLAN Tools saying "BINGO!" Excellent Network Connection!
But, I hadn't even configured the 614+... plus it listed connection as "Linksys".
Then it dawned on me, then was confirmed as I approched the neighbours wall... they had a WLAN setup.
My first thought was GREAT! I can return the D-Link... and head outside with a piece of chalk...
Then I thought.... well, this is a great backup position in case of "emergency".
Then, putting the shoes on the other feet (I couldn't have better neighbours) I wondered if they were aware of their vulnerability, and if not, should I tell them. Even if they knew, perhaps choosing to forego WEP/WPA for enhanced performance, should I inform them that I (and maybe others) could swim in their stream whenever...
Maybe I should offer to help setup encryption and swap keys with them???
So, what do you think?!
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05-01-2003, 08:23 PM
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5000+ Posts? I Should OWN This Site!
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 5,211
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Re: Chasing the Wireless Dream? Warchalking/walking/driving - AN ETHICS POLL
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Originally Posted by Noel
So, what do you think?!
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I'd tell them they have an open network. |
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05-01-2003, 08:34 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 11
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Tell them
Agreed. Tell them. Especially since they're good neighbors.
It's more than just bandwidth, it's an open hole into their network where their computers can possibly be compromised, zombied, or... whatever. Be a friend. It's good karma. Especially when you live next to them.
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05-01-2003, 08:39 PM
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Magi
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,137
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Yup, definitely tell them. Why should they pay for your internet connection? Plus anyone in the neighborhood can now access their computers. Show them how to encrypt, and definitely keep your networks separate....maybe set them up on different channels, to prevent interference. If you like these people, why is this even a question?
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05-01-2003, 09:10 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 371
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And don't forget to have them implement MAC address control too.
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05-01-2003, 09:19 PM
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Swami
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 4,193
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The Poll
To answer the poll question, WarAnything is legal or illegal depending on the circumstances. Simply discovering an open WiFi network isn't illegal, as that could happen quite by accident (as you proved). Using that network would probably be illegal unless it was intended to be open to the public.
My philosophy is that if you don't know the network is intentionally open, don't use it. It's just like an open door on a house -- if you don't know that it's OK to walk in (an open house, a neighborhood party, etc.), don't go in.
Steve
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05-01-2003, 10:56 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 125
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I think you should print flyers up and give them to all the other neighbors!
For those who couldn't tell - that was a joke of course...
Joe...
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05-01-2003, 11:04 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 371
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by JoeMoon
I think you should print flyers up and give them to all the other neighbors!
For those who couldn't tell - that was a joke of course...
Joe...
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Troll. ;-) |
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05-02-2003, 02:56 AM
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Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,999
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I would tell them, and offer to help lock down the network(as best they can) if they didn't understand how to do it...
It's the neighborly thing to do... :wink:
Steve
BTW, warwalking is harmless...
I'm not sure how I feel about warchalking and documenting open networks for others to exploit. I tend to think that if someone illegally uses a network that you have uncovered and documented, you are just as guilty as they are...
My .02
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"My eyes are rolling back in my head so far I can see my grey matter bubbling and frothing from reading this thread....bleh." JD
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05-02-2003, 06:24 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 252
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Tell your neighbors it's the right thing to do :wink: Think about it if the shoe was on the other foot :?:
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"Well aint this place a geographical oddity...two weeks from everywhere"
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