Please consider opening your WiFi for others.

[MineralMan]

If you have adequate computer skills to set up a strong firewall and you live in a residential neighborhood. Mine is named "Free Wireless Access." It's fed by a fairly expensive cable broadband connection with very good bandwidth. We don't use a fraction of that bandwidth, but like the speed when we do. Our contract prohibits throttling and provides unlimited data.

Our "Free Wireless Access" hotspot is popular with real estate agents, who park in front and check their email from time to time. There's also a struggling family across the street who uses it. They have two school aged kids. They didn't have a computer, so I set up one of my old ones and let them "borrow" it until they could afford one. Our wireless router is sitting just inside a front window. I even set up one of the printers in our house as a wireless printer and the kids can print out their schoolwork on it. They just knock on the door and pick up their printouts. "Hi. I just printed some homework. Can I get it?"

Driving around my neighborhood with my wife's iPad, I noticed that there are at least a dozen unprotected wireless systems in my immediate area. Three of them are accessible from inside my house. Is it dangerous? Perhaps a little, but the computers in our house aren't networked and share no resources, and their firewalls are set up very tightly. I'm willing to take the risk of providing a hotspot for my neighbors. It seems very, very unlikely that anyone with bad intentions will try to hack through, since there are so many open wireless routers around.

Every now and then, I log into my router's IP address to see if anyone is using it. Usually, there's at least one besides the systems in my household. I'm glad to help. Lots of people have limited funds and can't afford broadband access, particularly in blue collar neighborhoods. It's easy to help them out.

[leveymg]

1. Thumbs up.

We feed the birds (the squirrels just help themselves) during the winter, too.

[MineralMan]

15. Yeah, we do that, too.

I'm too old not to enjoy stuff like that.

[Occulus]

45. Please self-delete this OP.

Your advice is an extraordinarily BAD idea.

[proud2BlibKansan]

67. Yes it is.

We just had our provider out to check our internet connection because we were having problems. Turns out we had no password on our wifi and others trying to access it had caused it to shut down periodically. So we had our modem and wifi box replaced, and a password installed. Now it works perfectly.

[Occulus]

43. Both thumbs emphatically DOWN.

This is a very very bad piece of advice. Doing as the OP has suggested is DANGEROUS.

DO NOT, repeat [font size=5]DO NOT DO THIS![/font]

[REP]

58. Strongly agree with you

Good god, most people don't know the first thing about the basics of how their computers work. This is a terrible idea.

[DavidDvorkin]

71. Agreed. A very bad idea.

[jberryhill]

2. The SSID "FBI Surveillance Van" is fun to use

This is even easier with a router that is configured to provide more than one wireless network. That way the "guest" network is isolated from the other one by the router.

[MineralMan]

17. Yup. Ours has that capability.

The house devices use a separate network on the router.

[Glitterati]

3. PM sent

Thanks for the suggestion.

[MineralMan]

8. Reply sent.

[sharp_stick]

4. None of them are truly safe

I had a friend that picked up the newest wireless router, with all the security bells and whistles. He talked about how much more secure he was then me and just to prove it named his router "Just Try to Hack It".

A few days later he sent me a screenshot of his router info screen and the name was changed to "Challenge Accepted!"

He thought I hacked it but I have nowhere near the ability to even bother trying. He never did figure it out but whoever did it didn't seem to do anything bad.

[MineralMan]

5. Life isn't safe, frankly.

Living in a typical neighborhood, odds are that nobody will bother your Wifi system. If you make it hard to hack, they'll just move on to someone's that is easy. It's like locking your doors. That won't keep burglars out if they really want in, but it keeps the casual thieves out. They'll just choose a different house.

It's a matter of how you look at it, really.

[WinkyDink]

60. Locked doors also repel rapists and murderers.

[Marmitist]

54. I can tell you (almost) exactly what happened...

He might have set his wireless security password, whether WPA, WPA2, WEP, etc... But he most likely left the router's admin access open with the default password. All someone would need to do is try the common manufacturers' default IP and password setting, and boom, instant access.

[joshcryer]

80. You can't get the admin screen without negotiating with the router.

And you need the password to do that.

[Marmitist]

87. Yes, but if the password is left on the manufacturer's defaut setting...

E.g. "username "admin", password "admin", or admin and blank password, etc. you can get right in. You'd be shocked at how many people will put up a randomized 128 bit WPA / WPA2 key but not change the default admin password to log on to the router itself. If you don't believe me, go check and see for yourself!

[joshcryer]

88. So true! But if you have that a 'hack' is unnececessary!

Oh, and believe me, I've got into many a router just so I could download something quicker!

Generally though, to be fair, most routers "default" WPA/WPA2 "passwords" are merely hash strings that would be, in general, very difficult to hack! (The WPS hack notwithstanding, in which case the "default" password is rendered irreverent.)

[hobbit709]

90. Anyone who leaves the default password is getting what they asked for.

I have an open wifi setup here. Mainly because I don't want to enter the password on every computer that I work on. I don't have a home network setup because I see no reason to do so-that increases the security level right there so even if one of the 6 computers I have running here gets hacked, none of the others are affected. My neighbor across the street uses my signal since she can't afford to get internet access-she works 50 hrs/wk just to break even on her bills-her husband doesn't do shit to help support the household.

My computer security is such that only a real pro or government agency could get in, in which case I'd be screwed anyhow, but anyone else trying would alert me immediately.
Every bit of data I have is backed up in at least two other locations and I have image files of the OS drive setup for all my computers on a 128Gb flash drive that is stored in the cabinet.
I can have any computer I use completely restored and up and running in a half hour or less.

I run 3 versions of Windows and counting my laptop 2 versions of Linux. I spend more time varying configurations/hardware upgrades than anything else.

[joshcryer]

81. WPA/WPA2 is generally quite secure, but if WPS is enabled they found a hack for it.

10 minutes tops to crack what was generally considered secure WPA/WPA2.

(WEP of course can be trivally cracked in seconds.)

If your router supports WPS it is advisable to turn it off.

No known easy crack for WPA/WPA2 yet. (They still must brute force the password, so obviously 'weak' passwords can be found.)

[RevStPatrick]

6. This is a great idea, except...

A friend of an acquaintance of mine is or was being sued by the RIAA for hundreds of thousands of dollars for music that he didn't download, because his wireless was open. I don't know how that suit turned out.

Just sayin'...

[MineralMan]

11. Yes, I get that.

I can demonstrate quite clearly that my open WiFi is there for a reason, and that I haven't downloaded squat. I'm not concerned, frankly.

[RevStPatrick]

40. Yep, you do get that.

And I'm sure you'll be fine.
I was just the first of many naysayers, apparently.

[krawhitham]

75. Accessory to Theft

[joshcryer]

82. A user with an open access point successful won a case recently.

http://torrentfreak.com/no-duty-to-secure-wi-fi-from-bittorrent-pirates-judge-rules-120912/

It would of course be a pain in the butt, but you can win these cases.

I know I for one would fight it tooth and nail.

[Jersey Devil]

7. Nice sentiment but it can get you in trouble

If someone is downloading and trading kiddie porn for example it will be traced back to your IP address.

[MineralMan]

12. And I'll demonstrate that there's none of that on any

computer in my house and that my Wifi hotspot is being openly used by others, just like at Starbucks. I also have a very good attorney available. I'm not concerned.

[Jersey Devil]

16. If you want to take that risk it's fine by me but I won't and my lawyer does not work for free

Here's what happens if the prosecutor gets a report that someone at your IP address is committing a crime: The prosecutor gets a search warrant and some burly looking detectives show up at your front door at 6 am, come in with the warrant and take your computer away. Then you and your lawyer can explain away.

[hunter]

42. How is requiring a password access to your wifi any defense?

What if someone is downloading porn, music, etc., using your password?

These passwords are not difficult to crack.

Wouldn't having someone abuse your "secure" connection make you look guiltier?

So Mr. Smith. Just why did you give Mr. Jones your wifi password?

Huh? Wait, I didn't! I don't even know a Mr. Jones!

Um, yes, certainly, Mr. Smith. He lives next door and you don't know him?

No sir! I mean yes sir! I mean, not like that!

I figured the more difficult it was to crack my wifi, the worse I'd look if somebody did crack it or steal the password.

So why not just leave it open?

Any law enforcement agent wants to ask who was using my wifi, how the hell do I know? It could have been anyone. It was probably my kids or their friends, or the neighbors, but maybe it was some spooky stranger in the dark. A CIA agent perhaps trying to frame me???

Hmmm, I do know all about those chemtrails....



And the spooks have never forgiven me for this mischief:



(I only wanted to play a game, honest!)

Okay. But mostly I don't see much heavy use of my open wifi because it's too slow for video. That's what my kid's and their friends are always complaining about.

[Silent3]

23. "Demonstrating" your innocence might mean having every computer, smart phone...

...thumb drive, CD, DVD, and Blu-ray in your house taken away from you as evidence, for God knows how long while it's being "processed". It shouldn't be that way, but with militarized police and the excuse of "we must protect the children!", I'd be worried about pretty heavy handed tactics if the wrong kind of activity were traced to my IP address.

[Earth_First]

34. You trust a SWAT team executing a 5 a.m. search warrant for your devices...

and trust that in the commotion that you, your child or dog isn't shot in the process; all over free wifi for your neighbors.

Not a situation I'm willing to put my family in.

[jeff47]

55. You will demonstrate nothing.

The police will seize everything and take their own look.

If you're lucky, you might get it back when they're done.

[defacto7]

77. But I guarantee it won't come back in one piece.

And the data on it will be a 0 point move... nada..

[datasuspect]

94. you do realize you have to go to jail first before you go to court to "demonstrate"

whatever you think is right?

just saying.

[Nye Bevan]

9. And what if some kid uses your network to download songs or movies,

and the RIAA tracks down your IP and sends you a bill for $150,000?

Or worse, some creep decides to use your wifi to access child porn?

I think I'll keep my password.

[MineralMan]

14. Everyone has a different level of risk aversion.

Mine doesn't involve worrying about things like that. What do you suppose all the businesses who offer free wireless access do about that? I don't think they're concerned, frankly.

[lumberjack_jeff]

66. Having an open network is not legally negligent.

http://www.techdirt.com/blog/wireless/articles/20120912/15040320363/yet-another-court-says-youre-not-negligent-if-someone-uses-your-open-wifi-to-infringe.shtml

The basic upshot

First up, there is no negligence because negligence requires a relationship and a duty to protect, but no such relationship exists between the copyright holder, AF Holdings, and the defendant in the case:
AF Holdings has not articulated any basis for imposing on Hatfield a legal duty to prevent the infringement of AF Holdings’ copyrighted works, and the court is aware of none. Hatfield is not alleged to have any special relationship with AF Holdings that would give rise to a duty to protect AF Holdings’ copyrights, and is also not alleged to have engaged in any misfeasance by which he created a risk of peril.

The allegations in the complaint are general assertions that in failing to take action to “secure” access to his Internet connection, Hatfield failed to protect AF Holdings from harm. Thus, the complaint plainly alleges that Hatfield’s supposed liability is based on his failure to take particular actions, and not on the taking of any affirmative actions. This allegation of non-feasance cannot support a claim of negligence in the absence of facts showing the existence of a special relationship.

[War Horse]

10. Wonderful suggestion

I like the way you do this. Share a little bit of your bandwidth with others. As long as you do so safely - I'm sure a lot of DUers can help with that

[niyad]

13. thank you for a most excellent, and thoughtful, idea. this is what being a community is all about.

[MineralMan]

19. If I were more flush, I'd order a second cable line with

only broadband, hook it to its own router and do it that way. I just use a separate wifi network for the house computers and devices on my wireless router. Actually, the computers are all hardwired and isolated from the wifi altogether. Only the iPad, smart phones, and Kindles use the wireless, and there's nothing with personal data on them.

[xtraxritical]

27. That's real nice but it won't protect you from all the problems that they spoke of in posts above.

[Motown_Johnny]

18. Don't people who commit crimes on the internet try to use other's wifi

so they are harder to catch?



http://www.waukeshacriminaldefenseattorney.com/2011/04/unsecured-wi-fi-connections-facilitate-internet-sex-crimes.shtml



^snip^

Unsecured Wi-Fi connections facilitate internet sex crimes

On behalf of Craig Kuhary - Walden, Schuster & Vaklyes posted in Child Pornography on Tuesday, April 26, 2011

We have previously reported that police and law enforcement agencies carefully monitor internet activity in order to bust sex crimes. Over the last few years, Wisconsin authorities have prosecuted hundreds of cases of computer sex crimes, including possession of child pornography and sexual solicitation of a minor using the internet.

In recent months, however, innocent people have found themselves facing serious charges of computer sex crimes because of internet activity which was traced back to their Internet Protocol (IP) address. Their unsecured Wi-Fi connection allowed others to commit illegal activity using their internet service.

[MineralMan]

21. Well, in most places, they'll have plenty of unprotected

wireless to access. Certainly there are plenty of them around here.

[Motown_Johnny]

26. Then why risk opening yours up too?

Why not give the neighbors you trust your password instead?

[TeeYiYi]

61. Yours is a better idea...

re:"Why not give the neighbors you trust your password instead?"

TYY

[Michigan Alum]

86. My iPad won't work with my system secured, I think.

[Care Acutely]

20. We're set up for a separate guest access signal so that's what I named it

and left it open

[MineralMan]

22. Yup. Even the cheap wireless routers these days let you do that.

That's our method, too, and our PCs are hardwired through a second router that isn't wifi enabled. Only the portable devices access the wifi in the house, and we have no personal stuff on them that is at risk.

[Fumesucker]

24. I get my wifi from nearly 3/4 of a mile away and I share that connection with my next door neighbor

Set up my router with DD WRT and configured it as a repeater, one of the two antennas is a high gain directional to pick up the distant signal and the other antenna is an omni for local use.

My own wifi access is due to a barter arrangement I have with a neighbor a good bit further away.

My printer on the other hand is a very old HP that's remarkably cheap to operate (large refillable ink tanks) but has to be fed paper one sheet at at time by hand because the pickup rollers are all dried out and hardened. I don't print much so it's not a big deal to me.

I kind of like the idea of Daihinia, an open system that allows any Windows computer with wifi enabled to relay the open signal..

http://daihinia.com/

Daihinia™ is a tool for WiFi. It turns a simple Ad-Hoc network into a Multi-hop Ad-Hoc network. Multi-hop Ad-Hoc networks offer a higher level of flexibility than the usual Infrastructure Mode: in Infrastructure Mode all the computers have to be in the range of the Access Point, while in Multi-hop Ad-Hoc networks they have to be within one another's range, possibly forming chains longer than one hop.

Basically, Daihinia™ offers a Mesh Network layer for WiFi Ad-Hoc (IBSS) networks, making the network infrastructure be implicitly maintained by the users themselves. It's a nice idea that a network user supports the network around him/her just by the fact that he/she uses the network.

Unlike other solutions that allow mesh topology only between Access Points, Daihinia™ uses IBSS Mode and adds mesh functionality directly to computers, and does not use Access Points at all. Daihinia is implemented as an intermediate network driver for Windows systems and is completely transparent to the programs.

[xtraxritical]

30. Try some "Son of A Gun" on your rollers, maybe a lite coat of rubber cement.

I have a Zoom wireless router and the instructions are too fine print and complicated so I left it in default. I wish I could find some help with this.

[Fumesucker]

31. What do you want to do with your router?

I'm fairly good with them now, networking and wireless are indeed confusing for the uninitiated.

I've sanded the pickup rollers a couple of times and it works better for a while but I just don't print enough to make it worthwhile spending money on it.

[Incitatus]

63. Are there any specific resources you would recommend for the uninitiated to begin learning?

[Fumesucker]

85. I would say the best resource is DU

The Computer help forum has a lot of knowledgeable people who will give you a hand and usually multiple perspectives on any given question. They will also be able to point you to resources for your specific learning style and existing skill set.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1095

Wifi is particularly difficult because it combines computers, networking and radio, any one of which being not quite right can make the whole thing not work. For instance microwave ovens are basically radios that are fairly close in frequency to wifi transceivers and a leaking signal from a microwave can foul up your nearby wifi.

[Incitatus]

91. ty

[Ichingcarpenter]

25. Yes but No...

Bandwidth is critical these days.
I've shared it for years but one must have control
over the system to make it equitable and secure.

You can get a higher bandwidth and share it and it will be cheaper
for all concern..... security and trust is paramount between
your comrades..

If you have bandwidth left, you can open it up on a separate free channel..

[Blue_Tires]

28. wonderful!

I'm coming to crash at your place, because my games are lagging to the point where I can't even kill anyone!

[Snarkoleptic]

29. Mebbe a good idea to share a connection among neighbors, but

there's a downside to a truly open/unsecure wifi.

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/06/swat-team-throws-flashbangs-raids-wrong-home-due-to-open-wifi-network/

SWAT team throws flashbangs, raids wrong home due to open WiFi network

[HopeHoops]

32. No fucking way. Too many adolescent males in the neighborhood.

I've got ENOUGH trouble regulating bandwidth within my OWN house. I don't need porn downloads from seven or so other houses hogging more of it.

[Polldancer2012]

33. Wifi should be free everywhere. nt

[hunter]

92. I agree. The USA built an interstate highway system...

... we could build this

[NYC Liberal]

35. Check out your ISP's terms of service before you do this.

Many, if not all of them, prohibit this kind of sharing of your connection (without paying an arm and a leg for their "business" plan or whatever they call it). Not saying they'll necessarily know or enforce it, but it's just something to keep in mind.

[Lokey]

38. Yep that's what I was thinking

Not only that, but many ISP's are beginning to limit bandwidth and offering tiered plans etc.

[TroglodyteScholar]

36. Please consider getting a visit from the feds...

...when the creepy neighbor decides to use your open wireless network to download child pornography or plan a terrorist attack.

No thanks.

[Aerows]

39. I can't even freaking believe

someone would think this is a good idea.

You use Linux and HAVE a hardened Operating System. If even one person in this thread did this, you can bet they don't have one, and eventually, everything on their drive will get sucked up.

Horrible, horrible idea. I don't have to tell you why, though, because obviously, you already know.

[Mariana]

78. Those visits from the feds are fucking scary.

They're intimidating as hell (although I'd bet MineralMan is not as easily intimidated as I am). I had them at my door, about a year and a half ago, asking to come in and take a look at our computers. They didn't have a search warrant, so I told them no. They went away and I haven't seen or heard from them since. I don't know if they were on a fishing expedition or what. No one in my house has been involved in such things, and our wireless network wasn't unsecured.

[Aerows]

37. Oh hell no

Bad advice all the way around for multiple reasons. It is particularly for me. You just curled my hair as a Network Engineer/Security professional with this advice.

My God. How many people in America do you think actually have a hardened Operating System? Because if you start opening up your wi-fi to God only knows who, and yours isn't, your entire life can become an open book. Store passwords on the internet? Give me about an hour, and I'll suck all of that right off of your drive.

It's bad enough that most people don't change the administrative passwords on their routers.

[Dash87]

64. Thanks. This is just begging for identity theft, among other things

At the very least, some crazy guy who's executing his diabolical master plan (like making a nuke or something) could use your internet. Bad idea!

Maybe the OP can set his router up for guest access instead, and then just give his neighbors the password. At least disgruntled nuke-builder Joe wouldn't have access to it then.

[cprise]

69. Don't see why creating a Virtual AP for everyone else is risky

The other users remain on a separate subnet and are firewalled from accessing other local nets. Its a common feature on wireless routers these days.

The bigger risk is actually to the mobile users who get used to using free Wifi. They would need to use a VPN from work or their own home router in order to contain the risk that some Wifi points will be hostile.

[Alleycat]

41. Wow you are generous, and a nice neighbor!

My neighbors won't even snow blow my sidewalk even though they have a huge blower and I just have a shovel.

[madmom]

44. I was told by my computer tech to NEVER do this. I live

close to a school. He said if one of the kiddies decides to use my open wifi and call in a bomb threat...guess where the FBI are coming first?

[Xithras]

46. I used to be a member of the Open Wireless Project

Around 2000 there was a serious movement by many people, backed by the EFF, to do exactly that. We opened our routers, listed the locations on the website, and began our idealistic quest to make the Internet free and open for everyone. OWP died by 2002 after a couple of members got into legal trouble, and many others had their connections cut by their telcos. Predictably, the connections attracted the worst elements of society, became magnets for Napster and Limewire users, and in a few cases bulk spammers and kiddie porn afficionados. It died with a whimper.

The EFF actually restarted the project last year (now called the Open Wireless Movement), but I have no interest in joining again. I set up a 10db homemade cantenna to provide wifi to a poorer family that lives a few hundred yards from me and can't afford it themselves, but that's as charitable as I'm getting. It's just not worth the effort. Abusers WILL find your system, and YOU WILL end up taking heat for it.

[denese]

47. good for you

my next door neighbors enjoy free internet on me...I'm glad to help them

[msanthrope]

48. I do that for one of the renters next door. She's a law student at my alma, and

truly can't afford the line. We have a gentlewoman's agreement.

[Shankapotomus]

49. Good of you to do that

another option is http://www.freedompop.com/

it's supposed to be free internet *with the one time purchase of their mifi device.

you should check for coverage in your area first, though.

[Renew Deal]

50. Not a good idea.

[Sgent]

51. If you want to give

a password to a trusted neighbor -- by all means go ahead.

You really shouldn't open a wireless network though without a business level router -- which start at about $400 dollars or so (or more). You really want the ability to eliminate torrent traffic, have realtime anti-virus filter, and ip blacklisting to prevent things like your connection being used to trade kiddie porn or the like.

You also need to look at your terms of service -- most "home" networks don't allow for open access points, although home office or certain other plans may.

[hunter]

52. Reading this thread I see we live in a police state.

Lots of fear of nameless strangers and the secret police.

[WinkyDink]

59. This thread was your first clue about our police state?

[TroglodyteScholar]

62. Police state?

I don't know about you, but I *want* child pornographers and potential terrorists to be stopped in their tracks.

And I certainly don't want to give them an invitation to use my resources for whatever they're doing.

It's not about a "police state," it's about understanding what people are capable of. And, unfortunately, people are capable of some pretty awful things. Let them do them on Starbucks' network.

I saw someone upthread mention sharing your wireless password with trusted neighbors--now THAT is a fine idea.

[joshcryer]

83. +1

Lots of people against sharing, as well.

[hunter]

93. I figure if I can't share something it's not mine.

If some outside agent prevents me or requires me to share something, then the thing is not mine.

This applies to everything.

[NoGOPZone]

53. No nt

[ecstatic]

56. Nevermind

My question was already asked a dozen times.

[WinkyDink]

57. In the immortal words of GHWB as done by Dana Carvey: "Nuhgundoit."

[lumberjack_jeff]

65. It also confers a degree of deniability in case of infringment.

http://www.techdirt.com/blog/wireless/articles/20120912/15040320363/yet-another-court-says-youre-not-negligent-if-someone-uses-your-open-wifi-to-infringe.shtml

[joshcryer]

84. +1

Said the same up thread.

[HipChick]

68. Thank goodness for my like minded neighbors -they have one SSID up for them, and another SSID marked

Open for their neighbors to use.. I just moved in, and my broadband isn't working

[Tallulah]

70. I allowed my neighbor

password access to my internet connection. Everything was fine for a while until my super speed internet started acting like I was on dial up. Some days it was what I called a hamster wheel crawl. I was paying for high speed but getting walking speed.

Some techs were sent over after I complained about the speed. What I found out shocked me. My neighbors were downloading movies all day and night. The tech said my connection was using so much bandwidth it was incredible.

I had to change my password and get the neighbors off or I was going to be charged more for all that usage.

What made me angry was my neighbor never bothered to tell me she had 3 other people living there and they were all doing their thing on my connection. When I cut them off, they got cable and satellite.

I think they just wanted free internet. I am locked down now.

[flvegan]

72. *tipofthecap* to MineralMan.

Enjoy it, you won't see this often, friend.

Listen to him. Jesus, I just had a shooting pain in my side saying that.

[argiel1234]

73. Extremely poor suggestion

why would you advocate setting people up for very likely lawsuits/and or police raids?


I would NEVER suggest something as foolish as this.

You seem to have little if any knowledge of wifi security protocols if you suggest something like this

[SaveAmerica]

74. Thanks so much for helping the kids with their homework!

It is so hard to do 2012 work with 2007 equipment and it's such a bummer when your budget is tight and you can't take care of the extras like that.

That's really sweet of you to do for your neighborhood!

[Nika]

76. Good for you. There is really no need to be greedy about it.

[Egalitarian Thug]

79. I honestly wouldn't expect that from you. I'm very happy to have been wrong.

We've done this for years and only twice in all that time have I had to kick someone off for sucking up excessive bandwidth.

Well done.
& R

[PCIntern]

89. No good deed goes unpunished...

Wow, what an adventure. Your altruistic behavior engendered the usual cataclysmic flood of WHOA, NELLIE'S and apocalypse-predictors. So when can you expect the SWAT teams to descend upon you with black helicopters?

I love this: the generals are fucking everything that moves, sending 30000 e-mails to their lovers for whatever reasons, possibly nefarious, God-only-knows what machinations they were really up to, pallets of $100 bills disappearing, but you had best better watch out for your Wi-Fi access or the entire weight of the Federal government is going to descend upon your chest.

I understand the fears, and they're right in essence and all practicality but many of us are trying to help the helpless. Your motives are appreciated by many, including this poster.

[MicaelS]

95. One of the worst ideas EVER! And when someone

Threatens President Obama and it's traced back your router, what then?

Make terrorist threats and it's traced back your router, what then?

Downloads child pornography and it's traced back your router, what then?

Downloads copyrighted material and it's traced back your router, and you get sued, what then?

This is one of the worst suggestions I have ever read.

[Romulox]

96. Yeah, I think this is a really problematic idea. Security and legal implications... nt