I don`t understand computers. I can turn it on, play solitaire and listen to music, and on a good day, surf the net. I am terrified of doing anything that may harm either my computer`s ability to do stuff for me, or my stuff on it. I have nothing of great importance there, only a few essays and presentations I`ll never look at again, but all the same, it`s one of the things I dread the most is losing all my useless information. So the protect myself against this I have my already annoying vista security futures set to the highest, it`s getting to the point where (I`m no fun any more... kidding) it`s starting to doubt whether or not it`s a legitimate source. So I think you`ll find it understandable why I can figure out why someone who`s life`s work is computers and whose life is on his computer would risk something as foolish as an open wireless network!!
I`ll admit, that as the most techno-savvy person in my family, I did set up the wireless network at my house, I insisted (rather rudely I`m sure) to the nice Indian man on the phone that it me as secure as possible, I didn`t care if I had to type in four passwords, it was going to be dammed sheltered! I regret this decision now.
I love people who leave their wireless networks open, especially in residence where it nice to be able to study with more than two people in a room, or worse in the designated study rooms with tables in the middle and internet jacks on the walls, too far for the Mac prescribed internet cable to reach. But I`ve always believed them to be fools, I mean, if I was better with computers, as many people my age are, I could easily access a plethora of personal information off a person`s wireless internet. Then i started thinking, well if their grabbing information from my computer, what stopping me (aside from my serious lack of skill) from doing the same to them while they are connected to my network? I could, as Bruce Schneier suggests, screw with them, flip website upside down make a pop up or Rick Astley come up every time they try to connect. (sorry this one isn’t imbedded)
http://internetisseriousbusiness.com
(sorry, I had to)
If everyone left their networks open I think a situation very similar to that described in Technology and the Circumpolar Village, where one could access information about another person and form opinions about said person without ever having met them. This is dangerous because with open network people can access things with may be of no interest to you, but may therefore reflect poorly on you. The most shocking example being of course child pornography. If the police find that such thing have been downloaded through you’re network, then the argument of “it’s an open network” is weak at best.
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