• Wi-Fi Hotspots, Not Security Tips [Opinion]

    Wi-Fi Hotspots, Not Security Tips [Opinion]

    Sriram Sharma, Sep 18, 2008 1404 hrs IST

    Dear TRAI -- give us free Wi-Fi hotspots instead of Wi-Fi security tips

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TRAI is planning to issue guidelines to ISPs regarding wireless security following the recent bomb blasts.

Importantly, following the 21 blasts in Ahmedabad on July 26th which killed 55 and injured 100, TRAI had asked the government to direct all Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to instruct their customers to have 'proper authentication measures' so that this facility is not misused. "All ISPs may be instructed to ensure that their subscribers using wireless devices must use effective authentication mechanisms and permit access to internet to only authorised persons using wireless devices," the regulator said in its earlier communication to the DoT.

We live in a world where governments no longer have any control over the flow of money or information. Trying to stop terrorists from using communications technology is well futile, but the TRAI is going to have a good crack at it, nevermind if it makes everyone's life more miserable and paranoid.

This new regulation sends a different message from our government: They won't bother providing free public wireless hotspots, because you know, that would be too much to ask as a tax payer, and the terrorists might just use it to plan their next bomb attack! As an added measure, they're also going to make sure you don't share your wireless connection with friends or family.

No matter how much infrastructure is put in place to track/monitor net users, the terrorists will simply just up their game. They could plan their next raid on an MMORPG, as this article points out.

Could terrorists use Second Life? Sure, they can use anything. But is it a significant augmentation? That's not obvious. It's a scenario that an intelligence officer is duty-bound to consider. That's all.

I don't know how ISPs plan to enforce the whole thing, most likely they will create mechanisms to prevent home users from having a Wi-Fi network. As a recent migrant to Reliance Broadnet, I know they're evil enough to use this opportunity to limit the number of machines on a home network, or charge a premium for each machine on the wireless network at home.

If that happens, the Terrorists win. :(

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Related Links
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TRAI Looks at Preventing WiFi Misuse
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Discussion Board
(4) Comments
vinay
,mumbai, on Sep 19, 2008 08:48 PM
I live in mumbai and have wifi at home (which since ages has been wpa2 encryp) but what scares me is the fact that the line which comes to my place from the isp is a cat 5 cable+ switch lan distribution system which is left unprotected on its route via the dozen of buildings......wouldnt it be easy for any one to clamp on to one of these links...packet sniff for a while...clone my mac ...even digg my pppoe dialer password (if its not chap) and use my credentials for sending a terror email. IMHO safest way is to use the adsl or rather i hope something like adsl+ (hope its avaiable in india soon)...as those would be on pstn lines and fairly more secure due to underground cabling and authentication standards.
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Rick
,Astley, on Sep 19, 2008 11:11 AM
Yes.
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Ashok
,New Delhi, on Sep 18, 2008 06:55 PM
Sriram ...you and Trai are both right . What you are asking is 'our' need, what Trai is telling is the need of masses....I would say 50% of people who afford WiFi broadband have no clue how wifi works and how to administer it, its just plugged in and thanks to microsoft their computers started accessing internet. I would say trai wants to educate people. But if Govt/Trai want to check on Terrorism they are wrong, its the bomb which hurt us not their emails. Unlike India, bangkok is launching 15000 free wifi (all secured) but free...and thats what we all need.
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Anonymous
,Mumbai, on Sep 18, 2008 05:08 PM
Instead of WIFI, terrorists will simply use some other way to claim ownership of any blasts - like dropping a note to a newspaper or govt office. I am ashamed at how our government can consider such foolish options. This does nothing to stop bomb blasts.
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