Wireless Internet Access is a Civil Right??

**Xiahou** · 10-06-2005, 00:39

Originally Posted by _Martyr_

About moving around... well, he can still be found. Infact, it would probably be easier to cath a moving target like that! The system works in real time, you get a flashing dot on a 3D map that indicates his location. Ever tried hacking the Pentagon and driving around at the same time?

This is really off-topic but... Not if you're not transmitting when you move- and, once you've broken a few other systems, a cracker worth their salt would use them as proxies. I'm sorry, but there's no way that putting an entire city on a shared access wireless network won't create security problems.

Even using this alleged tracking system, it'd still require active monitoring of all traffic to identify who the troublemakers are (what, with software programmable MAC addresses?). It's not like in a corporate system where you have a small set of authorized users. You're talking about open access to an entire metropolitan area.

**_Martyr_** · 10-06-2005, 00:48

Here: http://wifi.google.com/download.html

Im not 100% sure how Google put the adds in (im not exactly within WiFi connection distance of the Bay area, so I havent tried it...). The project is still early Beta, so it will probably evolve from what it is now anyway. Its not only about directly inserting extra adds for them either, by using their service they can analyse your internet usage data and sell/use this anonomous market information. Also, by just increasing their profile, Google can charge more for adds. Perhaps they will release a browser that you have to use to be able to use the service, maybe they will be insert adds at the top, side or bottom of any html data that they transmit to you. Who knows! One thing is sure, Google know damn well that they can and will make money from it. Ubiquitous computing, Google style!

**_Martyr_** · 10-06-2005, 01:00

This is really off-topic but... Not if you're not transmitting when you move- and, once you've broken a few other systems, a cracker worth their salt would use them as proxies. I'm sorry, but there's no way that putting an entire city on a shared access wireless network won't create security problems.

And that differs from what we have now how exactly? At least this way the locations would be detectable in real time, as opposed to just having an IP where you need the ISP to divulge information first. I dont contest that there are a lot of issues to be sorted out, I pointed some out myself, but its not going to be a situation where script kiddies and crackers alike can just log on and committ cyber crime with impunity as you suggest. (well, no more than it is today...)

About active monitoring, as I alluded to in my previous post, I think thats the whole point of the thing. Google bots will monitor everything you do, I would imagine there will be a very strictly enforced access blocker, certain sites allowed, certain sites blocked. All operating on a dont like, dont use basis. As I said I dont know, havent used the thing.

**Xiahou** · 10-06-2005, 01:03

Originally Posted by _Martyr_

About active monitoring, as I alluded to in my previous post, I think thats the whole point of the thing. Google bots will monitor everything you do, I would imagine there will be a very strictly enforced access blocker, certain sites allowed, certain sites blocked. All operating on a dont like, dont use basis. As I said I dont know, havent used the thing.

Sounds like civil rights violations to me.

**_Martyr_** · 10-06-2005, 01:11

Haha, yeah. As I said, I agree it was badly phrased. Calling it a civil right was going a little bit of over ambitous in his rhetoric. But the idea is not wrong. The internet is becoming increasingly vital, for this guy to arrange for a private company to set this up in his city is not socialism, its a publicly available private utility. If the guy set up an arrangement with a taxi firm that didnt charge customers but made them look at loads of advertisements and fill out surveys, would you complain? Free movement is a civil right too isnt it!

**solypsist** · 10-06-2005, 05:40

$8 mil free internet in san fran > $223 mil bridge to nowhere in alaska by [r] don young

**Proletariat** · 10-06-2005, 05:44

Uhm, Mr. Young was ripped over that move by Xiahou and many others here.

**Divinus Arma** · 10-06-2005, 05:57

Originally Posted by Xiahou

You know, this would have to be a dream come true for hakcers too. Free, anonymous Internet access that's available from whatever rock you're living under- no need to even crawl out. Imagine how many everyday users would be signed on with no concept of passwords, firewalls, encryption or any other safeguard.

After taking a formal criminal investigative course through a local sheriff department, I should not be saying : you have no idea how right you are.