The New York Times runs an article in which law enforcement officials lament, somewhat breathlessly, that open wifi connections can be used, anonymously, by wrongdoers. The piece omits any mention of the benefits of these open wireless connections -- no-hassle connectivity anywhere the "default" community network is operating, and anonymous browsing and publication for those doing good, too.
Without a hint of irony, however:
Two federal law enforcement officials said on condition of anonymity that while they were not aware of specific cases, they believed that sophisticated terrorists might also be starting to exploit unsecured Wi-Fi connections.
Yes, even law enforcement needs anonymity sometimes.
Posted by Wendy at March 19, 2005 08:01 AM | TrackBackAre they still whining about this sort of crap? Plus ca change...
I'm waiting for 'em to crack down on Kinko's. Talk about anonymous internet... those evil Kinko's bastards. Any EVIL HACKER could just GO ONLINE with CASH!! 24 hours a day!! AND DESTROY CIVILIZATION!!
But wait... Kinko's is a corporation! Shit! We can't do anything to them! Oooh well, guess it's not such a danger after all. Lets go GET THE WIFI BANDITS!!
Posted by: Paul Gowder on March 19, 2005 08:41 AMIt is silly to raise the spectre of Corporatism in this case. Most public libraries provide FREE internet access for the cost conscious terrorist.
What has Kinko's ever done to you?
Posted by: Anonymous on April 15, 2005 09:37 AMThis reminds me of the horror of allowing anonymous telephone usage for decades. Why, with only a few coins, any criminal could call any anonymous pay hone anywhere in the world and speak in secret. How can we stop this evil? Surely anonymous INTERNET access is much worse because... well because...eh.. only rich criminals that can afford a computer can use it thus locking out poor criminals! Yes, that's it! WiFi discriminates against poor criminals! Yet another reason to banish it.
You guys want a dictatorship dont you. Why eals would you want to fight anonymity. If i wanted to fight anonomity, I WOULD VOTE FOR HITLER. Well, if it were my choice, I would demand people who love a free usa we would have a nothere civil war. Any one who wants to use conventional weaponds are WHIPS!!!They are GIRLLY MEN!!!
Posted by: on April 23, 2005 04:31 AMI dont think that anon. wifi is evil...
Posted by: Sean on May 8, 2005 01:56 PMhttp://jeremy.zawodny.com/blog/archives/
Posted by: hydrocodone on May 9, 2005 06:45 PM