ArtOFWar

Alright, Well at a young age as it is I already own a business. Although, its not HUGE or any thing it does get me by to say the least. I build systems, repair, set up networks, just about any thing computer related. Now I have read a fair amount about Wi-Fi, its a sensitive area to be getting into I know. People dont want to hear it, cant understand, not to mention the number of crimes you can break with out even knowing so. Well as of late I have been thinking about expanding my business, into what else? Wi-Fi, or all things wireless... Almost. Any way, as much as I have read about it I would still like to get a little input on this... Is what I was going to do is! First I was going to go to the local police station or IRS, some government office and get a list of the wireless crimes of my state. Doing so I could get a better understanding on my limitations of simply driving down the road with my laptop on.

Now, I know a lot of people dont know, or dont care about their network. Those who do may not even know they have a problem when in fact they have a rather large problem. Now as I have read and understand owning a business my self, the first step to being successful is to be informative. No one will care if they dont understand. So my second step was to go to the post office and have them, if at all possible hand out flyers with the local mail. The flyer I will write my self and will include a lot about Wi-Fi in todays world and the threat it poses by simply hooking one up to your network, a WAP that is... On the back or at the end or some thing to that effect I will then include further, a phone number where I can be contacted to utilize my services. Now dont get me wrong I am not wireless master, so I cant say I can lock their network as tight as any other person. The point at hand however, no computer is safe, ever, harder to break into.. Yes, "UNHACKABLE," never. I simply offer a solution to "UPGRADE" security by the means that I know how to do. I offer no rock tight solution for wireless networks and their security I simply offer a better understanding and a littler more protection than they already have, or perhaps a lot more depending.

As I have read and already know as do others, the Wi-Fi industry is an untapped gold mine. Fact of the matter is, its full of gases and I dont have a parrot to warn me of its dangers. I was wondering, what do you think of the idea in general, as it has been suggested before how safe am I staying by the steps I am taking? What more should I do before going any further with this? Now suppose I get this addition to my business up and running, whats a fair price to charge for my services? Any advice or input any one could offer would be extremely helpful. Thanks.


-AOW

sparafina

I really hate it when people use FUD to promote their business. It isn't necessary. I prefer lists of offered services. I figure most people have heard about wireless security, but they just don't want to take the time to figure out all the configuration. Why don't you list what you will do to secure their wireless with a brief description of why. For example:

Wireless Security Service

Enable WEP - sets a password that for computers connecting to your network
Disable SSID Broadcast - only allows properly configured computers to find your network
...

Keep the language simple and in layman's terms.

Forget wireless, you could probably make a mint just removing spyware.

Good luck on you business.

ArtOFWar

Yeah, I make 90% of my money from Virus and spyware removal. When Sasser first hit computers... Well that was a very good month for me to say the least. I had computer after computer in here removing it, since it takes a full 4 minutes or so to remove and patch you could only imagine how I cashed out on that one. There is but one word people need to learn... Linux, but hey, then I wouldnt have a job so let them do what they want I say. I know that I probably dont need to expand into wireless but I figured there is money to be made and after all, thats what most people are in business for haha. Really though, not only money, Im sure there are countless people who have unsecured networks who do banking over the net or other information that needs to be secure, the need is there some one just needs to push it a little. Its also some thing I enjoy, the reason I got into computers. Thanks for the suggestion, I never thought of that Ill list out my services with a small description and then if they decide they want my help Ill go more into detail for them and always try to keep it as simple as I can. Thanks for the support too.

beakmyn

The IRS has nothing to do with wireless security. Unless your local police department as a 'cyber crimes' division you'll quickly hit a dead end. Few states have laws specifically written for wireless security. Most just use a modification of Federal wiretapping laws.

The post office could care less. They will not put flyers or items otherwise in a mailbox unless it has been postmarked. It is also a federal crime to put anything in a person's mailbox that is not mail.

[quote]
The flyer I will write my self and will include a lot about Wi-Fi in todays world and the threat it poses by simply hooking one up to your network, a WAP that is... On the back or at the end or some thing to that effect I will then include further, a phone number where I can be contacted to utilize my services.[\quote]

You're better off running ads in the local community newspapers or offering a commission to local computer stores that mention your business. Maybe even offer a class at the YMCA on wireless security.

Um, that would be a Canary. The small size of the canaries lungs and constant singing would warn coal miners if there was a build up of deadly gases. When the canary stopped singing, it was because it died from fumes which gave coal miners enough time to get to fresh air.

ArtOFWar

I know the IRS has nothing to do with it but last time I went there if I remember right... Maybe not? any way as I remember they had a list of "Laws business owners should know" little booklets and other things so I was wondering if they would have any thing that would help me. Any place I could go to get a list of Cyber or other phone related crimes? See I dont know who to go to about passing out booklets or any thing because I know you cant put any thing in or even tamper with other peoples mail box such as attaching it to it some how. So if I post mark all of them think the post office will distribute them for me? A Canary! That was it, as I was sitting here writting this I was trying to think of what kind of damn bird it was I knew it was something that made a lot of noise so that when it would die they knew to get the hell out haha. I thought I would just go for it with parrot thanks for correcting me though.

Clyde Vargus2

Several years ago I was doing some lawn care work part time. I wanted to hand out flyers, so I checked with the local post office. They said it's against federal / postal law for me to open someone's mailbox for any reason. But I could put flyers in NEWSPAPER boxes with no problems. Around here, most houses have their newspaper box seperate from but close to the mailbox. I never had any problems with that.

beakmyn

If you have a business already then you may be able to get a bulk rate and mail some post card size ads. One thing the local newspaper has recently started is subsidizing subscriptions, in my area. A business will pay a small fee and have their advertisment slipped into the paper and the paper will be delivered to homes in a target area. Usually, to non-subscribers also.

Each state's laws vary for cyber crimes. Google or the yahoo government pages is a good place to start. Most states have a website set up with laws, facts, etc.

Personally, I would start out with a class to inform the public and give basic guidelines, etc. Then for a modest fee you will provide one-on-one consultations.

ArtOFWar

That was another idea I had, instead of passing out flyers, maybe send them postcards as you said or perhaps very small adds redirecting them to my web site where I will have posted all the information they need to know. It will save me a lot of money in the long run. I will save money on printing fees and paper, just a simple postcard or small add in a paper or any thing of that kind with my web address on it. Our local newspaper is sad, there is only one paper passed out to all homes maybe once a month and I doubt any one reads it. I could post an add in there but Im not sure how effective it will be. I think the best chances I have on reaching people is some kind of postcard and maybe an add in the paper will draw a fair amount of attention. Also word of mouth as well, if enough people see the add and they start talking to people who have wireless or plan on buying such I can also gain an advantage that way as well. Im off to google and yahoo right now for some law information.