unsecured wireless connection

I know it is bad to have an open connection as people can intercept your
data, but is it that easy and how would they do it?

I personally dont have an open network, but I know a hotel that does and
lets its clients use it for free.

What are the implications of using it for the casual user?

>I know it is bad to have an open connection as people can intercept
>your data, but is it that easy and how would they do it?
>
> I personally dont have an open network, but I know a hotel that does
> and lets its clients use it for free.
>
> What are the implications of using it for the casual user?
>

The biggest risk of an open connection is people stealing your
bandwidth. If the router has wireless isolation turned on, then the
wireless users shouldn't be able to communicate with each other. ie -
Your files are safe

George

In article <1125519674.53f01efad752327f8caa9fd6d4bb1382@teran ews>, F9
<(E-Mail Removed)> writes
>I know it is bad to have an open connection as people can intercept your
>data, but is it that easy and how would they do it?
>
>I personally dont have an open network, but I know a hotel that does and
>lets its clients use it for free.
>
>What are the implications of using it for the casual user?
>
>
Check your ISP's Acceptable Use Policy.

There are a number of dangers that I can think of:

- Your connection to your ISP could be used to generate any one of
a large number of abuses, which could cause your ISP to pull the plug.

- Your physical firewall on your ADSL/telephone modem will have
been by-passed. It would make it easier for the casual user to access
your files and infect your systems.

- Someone is freeloading on your paid for bandwidth

- If the freeloader is downloading kiddi-porn onto their PC, you
could find Mr. Plod on your doorstep, and holding you responsible. It
could be an uncomfortable time.

A hotel, is providing access as part of its service (paid for) to its
customers. If they have any sense they will have proxy servers etc,
with filters, to provide themselves with some protection, and to limit
any damage.
--
Nicholas David Richards -

"Où sont les neiges d'antan?"

In article <1125519674.53f01efad752327f8caa9fd6d4bb1382@teran ews>, F9
says...
> I know it is bad to have an open connection as people can intercept your
> data, but is it that easy and how would they do it?
>
Very easy. Turn on laptop, wireless software goes hunting for access
points, finds it and asks if you want to connect.

> I personally dont have an open network, but I know a hotel that does and
> lets its clients use it for free.
>
> What are the implications of using it for the casual user?
>
Non as long as you're firewalled.


--
Conor

"You're not married, you haven't got a girlfriend and you've never seen
Star Trek? Good Lord!" - Patrick Stewart, Extras.

F9 wrote:

> I know it is bad to have an open connection as people can intercept your
> data, but is it that easy and how would they do it?

> I personally dont have an open network, but I know a hotel that does and
> lets its clients use it for free.

> What are the implications of using it for the casual user?

As with pretty much any public wireless network, it's fairly trivial for
either other users of the wireless network, or the people providing the
access, to eavesdrop on any information you send across the Internet.
This includes login passwords for e-mail if you use POP3 or IMAP, web
page logins, which pages you're visiting etcetera.

The easiest way to get round this is to have remote access to a trusted
system (at home, for example) and connect to it with something like VPN
over the wireless network. This encrypts the connection from your laptop
to your home and stops eavesdroppers.

The other option is only ever to use encrypted protocols for whatever
you're doing with the Internet from a public wireless network, which
negates the need for the trusted system but is significantly trickier to do.

Dave

In article <1125519674.53f01efad752327f8caa9fd6d4bb1382@teran ews>,
(E-Mail Removed) says...

> I know it is bad to have an open connection as people can intercept your
> data, but is it that easy and how would they do it?

Google will most likely give you the answers.

IANAL, however, intercepting data would likely fall foul of a
telecommunications act, and if you accessed a PC on the network without
permission, the Computer Misuse act.

Can I suggest therefore you lose interest in such at the earliest
opportunity?

> I personally dont have an open network, but I know a hotel that does and
> lets its clients use it for free.

Not unusual. Many hotels now offer this, although some do charge.

> What are the implications of using it for the casual user?

Prison is one, if you are not a client of the hotel in question.

AIUI, someone recently received a custodial sentence for 'borrowing'
wireless bandwidth from his neighbour ...

You will find its the latest and greatest hackers
paradise and Uk has had its first conviction .

http://www.wardriving.com/

My biggest worry would not be that someone is using
up my bandwidth , more WHAT they are doin with it .

I am pretty sure if you give it a year or so when it catches
on here that there will be a few innocent people whos
connections were used for hacking , DOS attacks
pedo porn , etc who end up in the courts and also
on the front page of our trash media , no doubt it
will also be used by the guilty as a defence ..............

--
Cheers
Paul [Bluesky Marketing]
...............................................
Never Be A Cloud In Anyones Life
http://www.blueskymarketing.co.uk Home :-)
TEL : 0870 321 7888
FAX : 0870 321 5888
http://www.gadgetlink.co.uk
http://www.laserpointers.co.uk
http://www.infiniter.co.uk
http://www.noddingtoys.co.uk

Bluesky Marketing
Unit 29
SIX Harmony Row
Glasgow G51 3BA


"F9" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:1125519674.53f01efad752327f8caa9fd6d4bb1382@t eranews...
>I know it is bad to have an open connection as people can intercept your
>data, but is it that easy and how would they do it?
>
> I personally dont have an open network, but I know a hotel that does and
> lets its clients use it for free.
>
> What are the implications of using it for the casual user?
>

>AIUI, someone recently received a custodial sentence for 'borrowing'
>wireless bandwidth from his neighbour ...

Where on earth was that, I know of someone who escaped custodial for a
GBH.

Geoff Lane

On 03 Sep 2005 10:43, Geoff Lane wrote:

>>AIUI, someone recently received a custodial sentence for 'borrowing'
>>wireless bandwidth from his neighbour ...

>Where on earth was that, I know of someone who escaped custodial for a
>GBH.

I think the big story recently was the 500 quid fine for someone from W London
<http://www.techcentral.ie/corporate_it/wifi_prosecution/view>

--

E-mail + files - 30 day free trial - <http://web.vfm-deals.com/runbox/>
Can be added as an MX record, so your domain mail gets stored safely,
with IMAP / POP / SMTP (not locked to port 25) facilities.

USENET news service ? <http://tinyurl.com/3rjw4> (plans from under US$5)

On Sat, 03 Sep 2005 11:16:48 +0100, poster <us-(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>>>AIUI, someone recently received a custodial sentence for 'borrowing'
>>>wireless bandwidth from his neighbour ...
>
>>Where on earth was that, I know of someone who escaped custodial for a
>>GBH.
>
>I think the big story recently was the 500 quid fine for someone from W London
><http://www.techcentral.ie/corporate_it/wifi_prosecution/view>

I shall look in to that one - thanks for the link.

Geoff Lane