I’d like to briefly share with you an interesting article by famed computer security scientist Bruce Schneier that he recently wrote for Wired. In it he argues against securing your wireless network and for having open networks that others can use. To the obvious arguments against having open networks, such as people stealing your bandwidth, using your connection to perform illegal actions, or breaking into your computers, he replies: “…I don’t think it’s much of a risk.” He claims that virtually all potential negative consequences are either highly unlikely or of no significant consequence after all. It’s very interesting to see such a radically different viewpoint on such a seemingly obvious topic from a prominent computer security expert like Mr. Schneier. I encourage you all to check it out. It’s a quick and fun read.
As for myself, I secure my wireless networks for the same reason I lock my doors. Yeah, I’d like to think that I would be doing the good Samaritan thing by keeping my house open to passer-byers urgently needing to use a bathroom, but the risk that they might take something valuable on the way out just seems too real. On that same note, although Mr. Schneier might be right in saying that the risk of legal prosecution due to me keeping my network open is small, any risk to my life and freedom is too much. So that some “people…[be] rescued from connectivity emergencies by open wireless networks in the neighborhood” is not worth life in jail. If someone needs an open network that bad, they can drive the extra half-mile down the street to the coffee shop. Scary enough is the idea that it only takes one malicious user to make your network a conduit for crime. Also, Mr. Schneier argues that one should not rely on a secure network for computer security in general, because as soon as you take your mobile computing devices to a public place, they are no longer under the umbrella of a secure network and are therefore vulnerable. I say that both the network and the computer should be made as secure as possible. This follows the basic computer security principle of overlapping controls. Or perhaps I’m just too paranoid…