Re: [fw-wiz] Interlopers on the WLAN

From: Mikael Olsson (mikael.olsson@clavister.com)
Date: 11/05/02 

From: Mikael Olsson <mikael.olsson@clavister.com>
To: pjklist@ekahuna.com
Date: Tue Nov  5 13:01:02 2002

"Philip J. Koenig" wrote:
>
> Is it reasonable to assume that those who access WLANs without the
> permission of the owner are violating the same cybercrime laws that
> apply to any unauthorized access of a computer network?
>
> Some have recently argued this is not the case if someone doesn't
> "enable the security features"

If someone has selected a non-default ESSID setting, I'd really have
to say that someone attempting to access said network is attempting
unauthorized access. Sure, the ESSID ("password") is sniffable with the
right tools, but so is telnet logons.

If, however, someone is using default/blank ESSIDs, I see the problem
with trying to pin a criminal charge on someone simply for connecting
to said network. "Hey, all I did was turn on my new modem after
unpacking it!". 

-- 
Mikael Olsson, Clavister AB
Storgatan 12, Box 393, SE-891 28 ÖRNSKÖLDSVIK, Sweden
Phone: +46 (0)660 29 92 00   Mobile: +46 (0)70 26 222 05
Fax: +46 (0)660 122 50       WWW: http://www.clavister.com

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