Internet Surfers Like It When Neighbours Share

[Hooch Tan]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-20030695-94.html' target='_blank'>http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-20030695-94.html</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Conducted by Wakefield Research in conjunction with the Wi-Fi Alliance, the results out this week found that 32 percent of those polled admit to trying to hop onto an unsecure Wi-Fi network that wasn't theirs. Some say they've done it only once while others reveal they've done it many times."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1297110654.usr20447.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>Naughty, naughty!&nbsp; I am sure it seems harmless enough for most people.&nbsp; They just absolutely, positively, have to get Internet access so they can upload the cure for cancer that they have found on a laptop they just happened to come across.&nbsp; The world needs to know!&nbsp; In some ways, I am not surprised.&nbsp; A lot of people have become to attached to the Internet that if there is a convenient way to get access, they will do so, even if doing so is not... polite.&nbsp;</p><p>I am kind of surprised that there are still so many open access points.&nbsp; Most routers these days, and for the past few years, default to some sort of encryption for wireless, so that suggests to me that some people have some really aging routers on their hands.&nbsp; Of course, with the increasing use of 3/4/5/20G networks will people still crave the need to hop onto unprotected Wi-Fi hotspots as much?</p>

[Jason Dunn]

Not surprising...if someone has an open WiFi network, I have zero problems jumping on for a minute to grab what I need. 3G services are still too expensive in my opinion, so WiFi will continue to be a great solution.

[Hooch Tan]

Not surprising...if someone has an open WiFi network, I have zero problems jumping on for a minute to grab what I need. 3G services are still too expensive in my opinion, so WiFi will continue to be a great solution.

I actually worry about open wi-fi points. While I generally trust all the computers on my own network, connecting to a wi-fi hotspot leaves me feeling a bit dirty. Then again, my phone offers tethering so I'm generally covered anyways. Without that option, I can definitely see myself being more than tempted.

[Jason Dunn]

I actually worry about open wi-fi points. While I generally trust all the computers on my own network, connecting to a wi-fi hotspot leaves me feeling a bit dirty.

Yeah, I know what you mean - it's something I don't particularly like doing, but if I really need access and have no other option (my Windows Phone 7 device can't tether like my Windows Mobile 6.5 device can) I'll use it.

[Hooch Tan]

Yeah, I know what you mean - it's something I don't particularly like doing, but if I really need access and have no other option (my Windows Phone 7 device can't tether like my Windows Mobile 6.5 device can) I'll use it.

I also worry about who else is on that hotspot and and that could do to my computer, or the data I'm transmitting. And there is not knowing who is running the hotspot.

I suppose the next question is, if the hotspot were protected by something trivial, like WEP encryption, would you still hop on? :)

[Jason Dunn]

I also worry about who else is on that hotspot and and that could do to my computer, or the data I'm transmitting. And there is not knowing who is running the hotspot.

Yeah, honeypot attacks. Unlikely, but possible. Depends how paranoid you are. :)

I suppose the next question is, if the hotspot were protected by something trivial, like WEP encryption, would you still hop on? :)

Nope, never - that would be like picking a lock on a door. That's breaking and entering. :eek: