Another snippet from a
basics piece in the NYTimes wifi special:
So why not go gratis all the time? For one thing, you never know where your next open hot spot might be. And there are concerns about security. To make the networks easily accessible, the free hot spot operators often forgo basic security measures. That means that when you hop onto a free node, you do not know who is on the other side of the wireless server. It is possible that an unscrupulous operator could set up a hot spot simply to steal unwary users' passwords and credit card numbers.
Subscription services, which require you to log on with a password, at least afford some level of assurance that there is a legitimate operator on the other side of the wireless connection. But even the for-pay services are vulnerable to security breeches. Hackers can position themselves near hot spots and try to break into the systems of people connecting to them, stealing information and - even though this is a threat that so far is more often discussed than encountered - intercepting e-mail and instant messages.
Whether you are using a free or a paid node, you can discourage most hackers by simply turning off the file-sharing setting in Windows in the network settings box (click on network settings in the Control Panel, then find and uncheck file and print sharing). You can also use firewall software, like Norton Internet Security 2003 ($100), that can be set to keep out wireless interlopers and give you at least as much privacy as you have at home on a wired broadband connection.
You can achieve the tightest security at a hot spot by using virtual private networking, or VPN, software. Such programs establish an encrypted link for you through the Internet, turning your wireless communiqués into anonymous Web traffic, and thus making them nearly impervious to hackers. Boingo currently offers VPN services to its customers free of charge, and the company's VPN software also works at free hot spots. But Boingo expects to start charging for the VPN service next year. T-Mobile does not offer VPN services.
The article is a great primer for those new to wifi - getting started, hardware, finding hotspots and even security.
posted by mt at 09:06
The NYTimes is running a special on wifi -
check out this piece on security.
A recent survey of Wi-Fi networks, however, revealed not only the extent of Wi-Fi adoption - covering more than 14,000 business and personal networks - but also the apparent laxity of users about Wi-Fi's built-in security. Nearly 70 percent are using the networks in ways that, without other security measures, could expose every word and digit sent or received to potential interception and allow others to piggyback on their Internet service.
posted by mt at 08:56
Wired reports on a disturbing message from the feds. It's good that they recognize the security hazards of a poorly configured access point - but I think they might be going a bit overboard.
Attention, Wi-Fi users: The Department of Homeland Security sees wireless networking technology as a terrorist threat.
That was the message from experts who participated in working groups under federal cybersecurity czar Richard Clarke and shared what they learned at this week's 802.11 Planet conference. Wi-Fi manufacturers, as well as home and office users, face a clear choice, they said: Secure yourselves or be regulated.
posted by mt at 10:30 
