TMCnet News
THE QUESTION SHOULD WE SHARE OUR WI-FI NETWORKS WITH ALL AND SUNDRY?(Observer (UK) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Open, unprotected sharing of Wi-Fi networks is not advised because of the high legal and security risks. Wi-Fi providers, including WBA members BT, Fon, Comcast and Time Warner, have launched "community Wi-Fi" networks where the router is designed to securely share internet traffic between the person who pays for the network and other authorised users. Whether shared access is free or paid is mostly determined by the terms of the provider and whether the service provider's network or a partner network is being used. Therefore, free access does not always mean unsecure access, as long as a trusted provider is involved. Ton Brand, senior director marketing and industry development, Wireless Broadband Alliance Opening your wireless network for guests is the neighbourly thing to do. It can be offered in a way that provides security and privacy. We at EFF are building a new router through our Open Wireless Movement that will make it easy to offer wireless access to passersby, while maintaining a separate and secure network of your own. We see a future where dozens of wireless options are available to everyone, all the time. After all, the internet is supposed to open our world, not keep it locked down. Adi Kamdar, Electronic Frontier Foundation Criminals have identified easy opportunities to exploit open Wi-Fi networks. Users of devices like smartphones and tablets need to be aware of the risks and make sure they don't expose data. This can be challenging. The easiest way is to only use vendors and brands you trust and not use applications where you would not want the information to be disclosed. Ed Hamilton, cyber security director at PwC Sophie McManus (c) 2014 Guardian Newspapers Limited. |