News of the Weird, Network Version: Security Guru Leaves His Wireless Network Open

[Xiahou]

And yes, if someone did commit a crime using my network the police might visit, but what better defense is there than the fact that I have an open wireless network? If I enabled wireless security on my network and someone hacked it, I would have a far harder time proving my innocence.

That makes no sense at all- particularly with his being a IT security professional. I think an unsecured wireless network, in his case(as opposed to your average slob, who could plead stupidity), would smack of willful negligence on his part- practically begging someone to connect and do something bad.

To me, it's basic politeness. Providing internet access to guests is kind of like providing heat and electricity, or a hot cup of tea. But to some observers, it's both wrong and dangerous.

So really, this is all about his social views on wireless rather than security. In that regard, you could say he's speaking out of his area of expertise. That a "security expert" would advise people to do something that is by definition, totally unsecure because he feels it polite is... puzzling.

If he wants to let people freeload on his home network because he feels it's the right thing to do, he can go for it- but it's totally unsecure. For myself, I'll keep WPA.