California State Assembly mandates WiFi warnings
By Cyrus Farivar 
posted Sep 5th 2006 7:26AM
posted Sep 5th 2006 7:26AM
Just in case you didn't already know how to "secure" (ish) your home WiFi network, the California State Assembly is making sure that you do. Assuming the Governator signs Assembly Bill 2415, starting October 1, 2007, your new neighborhood-friendly WiFi router sold in California will have to come with a security warning, a sticker, or "other protection" to alert consumers to the ultra-scary problem of "piggybacking." As the bill puts it, piggybacking, is "becoming a serious issue for people who reside in densely populated areas." Funny, because we always thought that free access was the best part about the democratization of WiFi, and most definitely not a "serious issue" -- but leave it to the California State Assembly to spoil our fun. [Via Reuters, thanks, David]
Once again, GOVERNMENT stepping in to protect us from ourselves. Another politician trying to score brownie points. Isn't it nice that California has solved all it's really pressing problems, and has time to fiddle with junk like this? LOL
Certainly in the UK it is a problem as the police and security services computers will flag your IP address as the one accessing the proscribed or 'dodgy' websites. It may be your neighbour accessing the Internet through your connection but it's your front door which will get the knock when they come to take your machine and you. Even a simple password is better than nothing.
Yes, an interesting feature, this router.
You gotta ask: Cui bono? In whos best interest is this? Clearly, it's in the best interest of DSL providers (NO SHARING, OH NO) and paid-for WiFi hotspots and probably telcos in general (free skype calls from everywhere - yikes!).
In theory, of course, there might be a problem. In practice, I have yet to see one.
In the meantime I will continue to give free access to anyone within WiFi range.
Imagine this sticker:
"This router has been approved for use in the state of California by the Govenator."
Something tells me the RIAA is no stranger to this wonderful decision. After all the lawsuits they had to drop because of this feature, they must be starting to make it more difficult in their homestate.
In a few years, the senate will pass a superb federal law forbidding anyone to let a wifi network unprotected. That, or wifi routers and access points will come with an RIAA tax, because everyone who use them must be a pirate.
It doesn't really matter if you use an encryption or not. Most routers only come with WEP and WPA and they are all easily breakable. Their are even Linux distros created entirely to be used to break wireless encryptions. And it doesn't take as long as you'd think. With the right hardware it can be done in as little as three minutes. Anyone who really wants to steal your wireless can do it easier then you think
How is this such an intrusion of the government? All they are requiring is that the router manufacturers warn consumers of the risks they are taking. You can still choose to leave your network unprotected if that's really what you want.
You don't want strangers to start tapping into your pipes. That's the problem with these wireless internets - your pipes get busted.
Actually this is a good thing. Sometimes in the car I'll pull out my PSP and see if there are any wireless networks around. It depends on how populated the area is, but it's not hard to find them. The unsecure ones are usually someone's home network (they leave the default name on, like linksys or netgear). I figure they just don't understand why or how to turn on encryption. And while WEP and WPA may be easy to break, it'll stop the average "piggybacker".
I wouldn't agree that it's a big problem, but I definitely think a sticker is in order saying that people can use your connection if you let them. A lot of people just don't understand how it works. So good job, California.
All of you complaining about the government...
first thing you have to understand is that this is California. Everything is illegal in california. Tinting, owning a gun, carrying basically any type of weapon, environmental "law" this, that.
California is pretty weird. In fact, eventually they'll "get it" and ban people, because people are the root cause of all their problems. Go California!
california passes the most retarded laws. their state legislators really must not have anything to do.
**Reading this message may cause cancer. This sign is placed in conjunction with the State of California code Id10t**
The sticker should simply say "RTFM".
may i suggest the one 3 from the top, on the left?
http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/stickers/5b43/
I'm proud...err...embarassed...to say I'm from Kalifornia!
What a waste of taxpayer's money to put a bill through like this.
Damn, 20 years ago we were being promised that California was going to drop off into the Pacific Ocean. Whats the hold up? I can't buy any new gadgets because all my cash is tied up in Arizona "beach front" property.
This will be a real blow to those of us who benefit from the occasional open Wifi hotspot. :-( Checking your email on-the-go just got harder.