Marking AP's/Networks as public access.

BoredSpy · 05-13-2004

Perhaps this has been covered somewhere by someone though I haven't been able to find anything on it. It seems to me that with the legal issues surrounding borrowing someones open access point for internet access (checking mail, etc.) there should be some standard way of declaring an AP intentionally open for public access. Perhaps with some standardized SSID naming scheme, or perhaps something needs to be proposed to IEEE, etc. An online site documenting such AP's is inherently useless for those that don't go out with pre-planned destinations.

Myself and many I know have our AP's (at home and work) outside our "internal networks" and setup bandwidth shaping, port 25 blocking, etc. Some of us even run hotspot software hijacking http traffic until people create free hotspot accounts (on the fly). We don't mind people leeching our excess bandwidth and a unified way of alerting war-drivers... hey I'm open and on purpose would be nice.

Thoughts, suggestions, links to people that have already addressed this in length?

Thorn · 05-13-2004

The idea has been discussed before, although no one has come up with a definate plan. On the other hand, why does there have to be a "standard"? Declaring an AP as open to the public via the SSID isn't rocket science. Anyone could think of a hand full of names off the top of their head that would make it obvious to any WarDriver.

Open AP
Open to the Public
Open Hotspot
Join Me
Public AP
Public Hotspot
Hotspot

The Others · 05-13-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoredSpy

there should be some standard way of declaring an AP intentionally open for public access.

Only warchalking shall save us now

:-|

Barry · 05-13-2004

"Get your Pr0n here!"

wrzwaldo · 05-13-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoredSpy

Perhaps this has been covered somewhere by someone though I haven't been able to find anything on it. It seems to me that with the legal issues surrounding borrowing someones open access point for internet access (checking mail, etc.) there should be some standard way of declaring an AP intentionally open for public access. Perhaps with some standardized SSID naming scheme, or perhaps something needs to be proposed to IEEE, etc. An online site documenting such AP's is inherently useless for those that don't go out with pre-planned destinations.

Myself and many I know have our AP's (at home and work) outside our "internal networks" and setup bandwidth shaping, port 25 blocking, etc. Some of us even run hotspot software hijacking http traffic until people create free hotspot accounts (on the fly). We don't mind people leeching our excess bandwidth and a unified way of alerting war-drivers... hey I'm open and on purpose would be nice.

Thoughts, suggestions, links to people that have already addressed this in length?

I don't think it is the "war-drivers" that need to be alerted. It is the folks looking for free internet that need the alert!

LiquidEdge · 05-14-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrzwaldo

I don't think it is the "war-drivers" that need to be alerted. It is the folks looking for free internet that need the alert!

I think its only the wardrivers who have any remote inkling that there are legal issues surrounding accessing an open AP. John Q. Public has no idea and will connect to whatever he can. So, naming the Hotspot something that signifies it as "Open" will really only matter to the wardrivers.

Moparman77 · 09-14-2004

The other day I was out checking out the town for APs and I did see one called "usepolitely" .. pretty funny stuff.. add that one to your list..

Novilio · 09-16-2004

I've suggested in several places that we just put the damned warchalking symbol for "open network" in the SSID:

)( Sammys Coffee Shack

Terse, and allows room for the establishment's real name. If the hotspot is fee- based, add a $ somewhere:

)( $ Mile High Doughnuts

--73--

--Novilio

renderman · 09-16-2004

Most of the ones I've seen for public use, usually have the places name in the SSID and signs inside.

Private citizens usually make it pretty obvious, i.e. 'send and email to xxx@xxx.com for access' or in my own case 'Renderlab-FREE'

There's no standard, but usually if someone wants to share, they make it pretty obvious.

PSYKO · 09-16-2004

Ironically, last night I came across a network with the SSID "Free Internet", but it was WEP-enabled...I suppose if I would have gone inside the establishment, there probably would have been a sign or something that tells the key....

beakmyn · 09-16-2004

Mines now (W) Beakmyn on NetStumbler

05-13-2004	#1 (permalink)
BoredSpy Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1	Marking AP's/Networks as public access. Perhaps this has been covered somewhere by someone though I haven't been able to find anything on it. It seems to me that with the legal issues surrounding borrowing someones open access point for internet access (checking mail, etc.) there should be some standard way of declaring an AP intentionally open for public access. Perhaps with some standardized SSID naming scheme, or perhaps something needs to be proposed to IEEE, etc. An online site documenting such AP's is inherently useless for those that don't go out with pre-planned destinations. Myself and many I know have our AP's (at home and work) outside our "internal networks" and setup bandwidth shaping, port 25 blocking, etc. Some of us even run hotspot software hijacking http traffic until people create free hotspot accounts (on the fly). We don't mind people leeching our excess bandwidth and a unified way of alerting war-drivers... hey I'm open and on purpose would be nice. Thoughts, suggestions, links to people that have already addressed this in length?

05-13-2004	#2 (permalink)
Thorn Did you do the math? Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Villa Straylight Posts: 10,039	The idea has been discussed before, although no one has come up with a definate plan. On the other hand, why does there have to be a "standard"? Declaring an AP as open to the public via the SSID isn't rocket science. Anyone could think of a hand full of names off the top of their head that would make it obvious to any WarDriver. Open AP Open to the Public Open Hotspot Join Me Public AP Public Hotspot Hotspot __________________ Thorn "Lawyers should never marry lawyers. This is called inbreeding. It produces idiot children and more lawyers."

05-13-2004	#4 (permalink)
Barry Managing the iTards. Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,259	"Get your Pr0n here!" __________________ Atheism is a non-prophet organization.

09-14-2004	#7 (permalink)
Moparman77 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Posts: 2	Funny Thing The other day I was out checking out the town for APs and I did see one called "usepolitely" .. pretty funny stuff.. add that one to your list..

09-16-2004	#9 (permalink)
renderman Drunken Stumbler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Anywhere but Utah Posts: 1,794	Most of the ones I've seen for public use, usually have the places name in the SSID and signs inside. Private citizens usually make it pretty obvious, i.e. 'send and email to xxx@xxx.com for access' or in my own case 'Renderlab-FREE' There's no standard, but usually if someone wants to share, they make it pretty obvious. __________________ Never drink anything larger than your head! Scaramental Wine Taster for the Church Of WiFi Buy our book: RFID Security "I reject your reality, and substitute my own!" – Adam Savage CoWF WPA Hash Tables

09-16-2004	#8 (permalink)
Novilio ScrivenStumbler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 254	I've suggested in several places that we just put the damned warchalking symbol for "open network" in the SSID: )( Sammys Coffee Shack Terse, and allows room for the establishment's real name. If the hotspot is fee- based, add a $ somewhere: )( $ Mile High Doughnuts --73-- --Novilio

09-16-2004	#10 (permalink)
PSYKO Got Beer? Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Wichita Falls, TX Posts: 40	Ironically, last night I came across a network with the SSID "Free Internet", but it was WEP-enabled...I suppose if I would have gone inside the establishment, there probably would have been a sign or something that tells the key....

09-16-2004	#11 (permalink)
beakmyn root\.workspace\.garbage. Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 4,765	Mines now (W) Beakmyn on NetStumbler

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