does NetStumbler actually CONNECT to access points?

**Chairboy** · 11-10-2004, 08:53 PM

My feathers got a bit ruffled by this:

next time say something correct or don't speak...

The implied threat about reporting posts like mine to law enforcement was icing on the cake. You're right, freestyler isn't worth the aggravation.

**TimmyM** · 11-10-2004, 09:20 PM

As far as I know Netstumbler or Windows cannot detect between a ligitment hot spot and a unsecured AP.

I have cable. my user agreement states that I cannot share my connection, which I don't. I do have a AP and I try to secure it. But if I didn't know how to even try to secure it, just bought it from Best Buy and installed it with no security at all. Then someone comes along and connects to it, not knowing it's not a free hot spot, who is in the wrong and gets to go to jail?

What if I had a T1 line, or even my cable, and didn't have any restrictions at all about sharing my connection. Then set up my AP to allow anyone with in range to access it, how is anyone to know the difference between that and one that's not secured but shouldn't be shared?

**blurp** · 11-10-2004, 11:21 PM

Originally Posted by Chairboy

Ok, cite the specific law (with code #s) or shut up.

"Section 633 of The Communications Act of 1934, as amended (47 USC ss553)
(a)(1)No person shall intercept or receive or assist in intercepting or receiving any communications service offered over a cable system, unless specifically authorized to do so by a cable operator or as may otherwise be specifically authorzed by law."

You better hope that WAP isn't plugged into a cable modem.

**fantomas** · 11-11-2004, 12:30 AM

i'll take my chances.

**migel628** · 11-11-2004, 12:51 AM

Originally Posted by fantomas

i'll take my chances.

Be careful man, freestyler may just hand over your IP/User info to LEOs

**fantomas** · 11-11-2004, 01:32 PM

oh no! good luck trying to prove i actually do it.

**toadster123** · 11-11-2004, 06:56 PM

hahahhahahhh

**Tred** · 11-12-2004, 03:33 AM

Anyway since this thread has completely gone off topic I will try to bring it back on course...
So basically the prob with Netstumbler is you cant click on the AP it finds.
The solution?
Airopeek once you get that running you can use Airosnort to help "test" the security of your wifi WEP encryption. Have fun!

ps post your results in a nice new thread

**fantomas** · 11-12-2004, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by Tred

Anyway since this thread has completely gone off topic I will try to bring it back on course...
So basically the prob with Netstumbler is you cant click on the AP it finds.
The solution?
Airopeek once you get that running you can use Airosnort to help "test" the security of your wifi WEP encryption. Have fun!

ps post your results in a nice new thread

where do we find this...airopeek?

**frugalmail** · 11-12-2004, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by Supermike

So you are saying EBFoxbat is wrong and anybody can (legally) use somebody's $40 per month highspeed internet connection if they are not smart enough to secure it, or secure it properly?

IMO, our society went too far in protecting people in this case. It would be far better if people were allowed to permit anybody to connect to their access point if they choose, if they take protective measures like blocking port 25 (whatever SMTP is) outgoing. Of course a business moving private data around the air should secure their access points.

I think the law would be better if it required people with lax AP security to take responsibility for it.

Open = AP owner's responsibility
Open + blocked = protected by law
Closed = protected by law