Free Wifi rocks

[yesthattom]

I’m waiting for a haircut and someone’s left their WiFi wide open. w00t!

I leave my wifi open at my house for guests and drive-bys. I wish someone would set up a way for people to leave thank-you notes. I’d leave thank-you notes all the time!

Comments

Hmmm....

[mrfantasy.livejournal.com]

A transparent HTTP proxy that lets you type "thankyou" into the URL bar and get a guestbook site where you can do that.

Now build this in to a $50 Linksys box.

[dossy.livejournal.com]

You could scan the network for a network-attached printer (or a Windows box with an open printer share) and print them a "thank you" card.

[disappearinjon.livejournal.com]

Presumably someone who wanted to could set this up easily enough --- use a captive portal with a guestbook --- but you're right, it should be much easier to do than it is.

[aillecat.livejournal.com]

definitely cool, and I'm glad you're like me, and leave the wifi open for guests and people nearby.... I don't feel so bad :)

[awfief.livejournal.com]

I wonder how many people would feel creeped out, that they didn't know someone was using it and then when they get the thanx they feel weird.

But yes, it should be easy to do.

Stupid non-sys admin question

[kathdem.livejournal.com]

The reason I hide & password protect my WiFi is that I understand it's more secure that way. Would the alternative be to set my router so that only specific machines can access my internal network?

Have you already written something somewhere about WiFi security that I should read?

Re: Stupid non-sys admin question

[yesthattom.livejournal.com]

I did write something about this but it is so old it isn't completely useful any more: http://whatexit.org/tal/mywritings/secure-my-home-pc.html

All forms of security can be defeated. The goal is to "raise the bar" so that you defeat 100% of the numbskulls out there and 80% of the smart people. The 20% smartest people will always get in.

Therefore, it's a good idea to enable WEB or WPA-Personal on your home networking equipment. It's easy and compatible with all computers.

I don't believe in hiding the network name. There are tools that let people guess it, and when friends visit its a lot easier if they don't have to enter the network name.

So yes, the big issue for me is "do I password-protect the network"? Yes, everyone should. Why don't I? Because I live in a very low-tech neighborhood and the individual machines on my network are pretty locked down. It's a low risk for me. And there's a good chance that I'll lock it down eventually.

[grendelgongon.livejournal.com]

I password protect our wireless network, but I've often wished there was a way to easily offer a non-password-protected network for guests etc net access and have my machines use the password protected network. Hmmm.