Who's poaching on whom?

NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: JOANIE WEXLER ON WIRELESS IN THE
ENTERPRISE
08/10/05
Today's focus: Who's poaching on whom?

Dear networking.world@gmail.com,

In this issue:

* Ignorance of law no excuse with wireless mishaps
* Links related to Wireless in the Enterprise
* Featured reader resource
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PUTTING PEDAL TO METAL

In the enterprise, early wireless mesh network deployments are
catching on in hard-to-wire environments. Such is the case at
International Speedway Corporation (ISC) where a wireless mesh
network is providing much needed agility during major sporting
events such as NASCAR's Daytona 500. Find out more. Click here:
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=109843
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Today's focus: Who's poaching on whom?

By Joanie Wexler

Last week, I posed the question as to who should be liable when
poachers piggyback on an open wireless LAN connection and
perhaps engage in illegal activities that are detected and
traced.

A related question is that when networks are left open and users
associate with access points other than their own, are they
breaking the law, even when they do so unwittingly?

Consider two neighbors (two adjacent houses or two offices in a
building) with open networks. Users in one house/office happen
to associate with the access point in the house/office next door
instead of their own access point because the other's signal is
stronger at a given moment. Can the two Wi-Fi LAN owners sue one
another for invasion of privacy? Can they be charged with
"unauthorized access to a computer network?"

Quite possibly.

Stan Edwards, a consultant at Data and Voice Design Group, says,
"It behooves all users to take the necessary precautions to
ensure they are accessing the networks that they should be. All
too often, users aren't aware of the possible ramifications of
using the radio spectrum. Unfortunately, ignorance of the law is
not an excuse."

Edwards cautions that one thing Wi-Fi users may not realize is
that some of the channels used in the 2.4 GHz band also fall
within the Amateur ("ham") Radio frequency spectrum in which the
hams have priority. Some hams, he says, are experimenting using
commercial Wi-Fi equipment in their own networking efforts and,
because they are able to increase power, achieving reliable
distances in the tens of miles.

"These networks fall under Part 97 of the Federal Communications
Commission's Rules and Regulations and cannot be encrypted.
Someone who is not an Amateur Radio operator and accesses the
Amateur Radio operated networks is in violation of Part 97 and
subject to fines of up to $10,000 per violation or per day if
the violation continues," he says.

Typically steps are taken by the Amateur Radio operators to
restrict access through MAC address restrictions. "Of course,
similar fines are also possible for other Wi-Fi operators who
modify their equipment such that it operates outside of the
restrictions of Part 15 of the FCC's Rules and Regulations,"
Edwards says.

The top 5: Today's most-read stories

1. New York courts find security in IP video
<http://www.networkworld.com/news/2005/080805-ip-video.html?t5>

2. Microsoft settles with 'Spam King' for $7 million
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwir4742>

3. German bank launches new system to combat phishing
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwir4743>

4. Anti-spyware firm warns of massive ID theft ring
<http://www.networkworld.com/news/2005/080505-id-theft.html?t5>

5. Crashing the 'Net
<http://www.networkworld.com/columnists/2005/080805buzz.html?t5>

_______________________________________________________________
To contact: Joanie Wexler

Joanie Wexler is an independent networking technology
writer/editor in California's Silicon Valley who has spent most
of her career analyzing trends and news in the computer
networking industry. She welcomes your comments on the articles
published in this newsletter, as well as your ideas for future
article topics. Reach her at <mailto:joanie@jwexler.com>.
_______________________________________________________________
This newsletter is sponsored by Akamai
Download the Network World Special Report: Accelerating
Web-based Applications: Managed Services Offer Benefits Without
Infrastructure Headaches

Look at most companies and you'll find one thing in common, a
move to Web-enable mission critical applications. A new breed of
managed services, aimed directly at accelerating performance and
availability of Web-based applications, helps companies attain
their goals of profit and growth - no matter how far or wide the
audience they are trying to reach. Learn how Web-based
applications can allow your company to boost the bottom line.
Download this Special Report today!
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=109914
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ARCHIVE LINKS

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FEATURED READER RESOURCE

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