Wireless Security - Required?

[doo_much]

I have a client that gives his tenants free internet as part of their rent.

To this end he has some or the other uncapped ADSL deal enabling access via a wireless access point.

Is there any valid reason why he should enable any type of security on the access point?

He really doesn't care who uses it or if someone hogs the bandwidth.

[Bladerunner]

Packet sniffing?

[DeathStrike]

free hacking into other peoples computers...

[hamin_aus]

Is there any valid reason why he should enable any type of security on the access point?

Post his address on the mybroadband forums.
Random cars parked outside his driveway at all hours will be fun, don't you think?

What will be hilarious is when the inevitable kiddie porn watcher streams 10GB through his connection and the cops pick him up for it. We can all laugh as his PC and network gear is seized and searched. They'll probably keep him locked up while they do it too - it takes weeks for forensics to do one of those searches.
The sheer joy of languishing in jail as a suspected kiddie-fiddler is almost unsurpassed - so I'm told.

He's in for a treat - give him my best regards

[doo_much]

He doesn't live at the res so he won't be bothered by random cars parking there.

I like the point about the kiddie porn though. Anything else I can use to convince him to pay me an exorbitant amount of money to 'administer' his setup?

[hamin_aus]

Aside from people leeching off his internet, there's the issue of them using his wireless gateway to get onto his PC's

If he has file and print sharing, media centre , remote help and any number of other nonsensical services enabled, people can use them to connect to his PC and find out all his secrets...

[doo_much]

Good one also thanks.

[hamin_aus]

I'd ask for some commission on potential earnings, but once I convert your monopoly money to dollars I don't think I'd have enough to buy chewing gum

[doo_much]

Ahhh well, you'll have to settle for that warm feeling in your abdomen that tells you, you'd done a nice thing.

You know - kinda like heartburn?

[Stuart]

Ahhh well, you'll have to settle for that warm feeling in your abdomen that tells you, you'd done a nice thing.

You know - kinda like heartburn?

He has a LOT of abdomen to warm!

[Sojourn]

Doo, as Jam pointed out, as owner of the connection he will carry the liability of any unlawful usage e.g. child porn, piracy and hacking. If some case go to court he could be up for a massive fine. Frankly, I don't think this is likely to happen.

I would add a clause in the lease that states that usage of the connection comes with no restrictions, the responsibility of lawful and fair usage reside with the tenants.

[Prime]

Doo, as Jam pointed out, as owner of the connection he will carry the liability of any unlawful usage e.g. child porn, piracy and hacking. If some case go to court he could be up for a massive fine. Frankly, I don't think this is likely to happen.

I would add a clause in the lease that states that usage of the connection comes with no restrictions, the responsibility of lawful and fair usage reside with the tenants.

Fair but if the owner is not prepared to protect his tenants internet, I can't see that standing up in court.

Aside from people leeching off his internet, there's the issue of them using his wireless gateway to get onto his PC's

If he has file and print sharing, media centre , remote help and any number of other nonsensical services enabled, people can use them to connect to his PC and find out all his secrets...

Potentially theft of identity and banking details... if he's not prepared to take a few reasonable measures to secure the network, one of his tenants can sue him if they are compromised. It's unreasonable to assume that the average user understands the risks of using an open wireless network to send emails, do banking and browse on.

[Sojourn]

Doo, as Jam pointed out, as owner of the connection he will carry the liability of any unlawful usage e.g. child porn, piracy and hacking. If some case go to court he could be up for a massive fine. Frankly, I don't think this is likely to happen.

I would add a clause in the lease that states that usage of the connection comes with no restrictions, the responsibility of lawful and fair usage reside with the tenants.

Fair but if the owner is not prepared to protect his tenants internet, I can't see that standing up in court.

Aside from people leeching off his internet, there's the issue of them using his wireless gateway to get onto his PC's

If he has file and print sharing, media centre , remote help and any number of other nonsensical services enabled, people can use them to connect to his PC and find out all his secrets...

Potentially theft of identity and banking details... if he's not prepared to take a few reasonable measures to secure the network, one of his tenants can sue him if they are compromised. It's unreasonable to assume that the average user understands the risks of using an open wireless network to send emails, do banking and browse on.

Prime, horse-balls.
By that same argument ISP's can then be held accountable for their subscribers online behavior.
If you as service provider state that liability reside with the user and the user agree to that in a legally acceptable document, you are in the clear. All you have to do is prove that you have taken measures to restrict usage of the online portal as soon as you found out about the unlawful usage.

[doo_much]

Interesting.