Do wireless networks HAVE to be encrypted?

[f1sh3r]

Today while working at my retail electronics store, I was told that having a wireless network unencrypted was, indeed, illegal? Is this the case? If so, is it state by state, or a national thing?

Thanks

 

[p0lar]

I've never heard such nonsense. Place the burden of proof on the person spewing the gibberish and let us know what they reply with.

 

[spidey07]

In some states/areas yes. But it is VERY rare. I think new york passed something like this.

 

[JackMDS]

Yeah there is such a law in one county in New York.
It is a good thing since it pertains to businesses that have data bases that might include customers cc info. While they are running Wireless too.

http://news.com.com/Unsecured+Wi-Fi+wou...y+N.Y.+county/2100-7351_3-5934194.html

 

[p0lar]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
Yeah there is such a law in one county in New York.
It is a good thing since it pertains to businesses that have data bases that might include customers cc info. While they are running Wireless too.

http://news.com.com/Unsecured+Wi-Fi+wou...y+N.Y.+county/2100-7351_3-5934194.html

I stand corrected. I personally maintain that it is unenforceable, but a novel approach to inform the public of the danger involved with insecure networks nonetheless.

What's next? Old versions of IIS? PHP? Telnet? Why not make it a crime to leave your door unlocked at night as well?

 

[JackMDS]

Well if your home has a portal (like ?Beam me up Scottie?) that can take an intruder to places that offer prOn, piracy, hacking, and other type of common Internet deseases, it should be illegal to keep the door open as well.

A lot of the the arguments done on line by people follow this Verbal analogy rational.

I gave John $1, so I can sat I gave John money.

I gave Jill $1000, so I can say I gave Jill money.

Since in the two cases I can say the exact same words (I gave Money). Ergo $1=$1000.

 

[p0lar]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
Well if your home has a portal (like ?Beam me up Scottie?) that can take an intruder to places that offer prOn, piracy, hacking, and other type of common Internet deseases, it should be illegal to keep the door open as well.

A lot of the the arguments done on line by people follow this Verbal analogy rational.

I gave John $1, so I can sat I gave John money.

I gave Jill $1000, so I can say I gave Jill money.

Since in the two cases I can say the exact same words (I gave Money). Ergo $1=$1000.

That smells like a derivative of a slippery slope argument, oddly different from the derived conclusion, however. There are far worse security crimes than insecure wireless that go largely untended.

Besides, we already established that WEP is not good enough -- gone in 120 seconds.