Wi-Fi access open to my neighbors
Some time ago I bought a wireless router. Basically, I wanted to be able to access the net from anywhere in my home (using laptop).
The router has some standard and advanced features. In what respects to security, it has features that goes from denial of service and intrusion detection to parental control, access control and MAC filtering, for example.
Most of my friends have locked their wireless access the best they can. My net is (at least still) just open. I really don’t mind having my neighbors using it. Using it, not abusing. And, living in a really high floor, I think no one can access it from the street.
Of course I don’t want none of the following:
- to pay more at the end of the month;
- to have my privacy affected;
- to have net speed penalties;
- having someone else using my net access for illicit activities.
In my opinion, it would be nice having people taking this community free access position. I’d like wireless protocols to evolve in a way to promote this community sharing of resources, taking in account the concerns priviously enumerated.
January 30th, 2007 at 5:32 pm
Hi Antonio. Nice blog! I will keep connected.
You have that kind of community and it’s really taking action at Portugal. Check http://en.fon.com/
January 31st, 2007 at 1:46 am
Hugo, thanks for your comment.
I can’t believe such a thing exists! Great stuff!
March 16th, 2007 at 2:50 pm
Hi Tó.
Actually I have just bought a wireless router myself. While that perspective of sharing your ISP connection with other people is an interesting one, I would also be interested in understanding what are you doing to control if people are abusing that good will of yours. I mean, if you have 2 people using your connection they can very easily use up your 10 (?) gigas of international traffic with downloads. You’ll end up paying an extra fee.
Another problem is with people actually hacking into your home network. Are you worried about that? Or perhaps you don’t consider that a real problem…
Abraço
Paulo
P.S.: I feel a bit ridiculous writing to you in English
March 16th, 2007 at 8:24 pm
Hi Paulo
In fact, you mentioned valid points.
For some months now that I’m using a FON (http://www.fon.com/en/) wireless router. It has 2 SSIDs, one private with WPA enabled and other opened. You may also specify the bandwidth to share. Or even get some money, if someone uses it (though, not sure if this is legal with your ISP).
Cheers,
António
ps: welcome to the globalization :)
March 17th, 2007 at 12:28 am
So you went with the FON solution, hu? That’s really interesting. Ok, ok, I gotta ask this first: what have you done with the other wireless router you had bought?
And, do you have any reports on other people using your shared connection? And what about using the FON network while you’re on the move? Have you used that possibility?
March 17th, 2007 at 10:36 am
Well, someone got me a free FON router (thanks, Hugo :), so it was easy to try it. I may try to connect the router to the other, but didn’t try it yet.
The idea would be to have the first acting as firewall, DOS detection, etc. And I could disable the wireless feature. And also, Iz could connect a computer through the LAN cable to this router. The FON router is very basic. Just a place to connect the cable from the modem.
The reports say no usage yet. I haven’t also yet used other user’s FONs.