In a discussion thread on this story on using cats to troll for poorly protected wifi networks, someone with a rather hardass view of security came forth:
Is he too paranoid, or are WE not paranoid ENOUGH?
The first rule of computer security is that your computer is only secure if it’s unpowered, buried 30 feet underground and surrounded by concrete. And even then…
This is just a completely paranoid view of security. Could someone hack your WPA2 encrypted network and download a bunch of child porn or credit card numbers? Sure, I guess. But we’re talking below lightning strike levels of odds here.
This gentleman clearly does not own a Kindle. I download quite a few books and documents via the USB cable that goes from the computer to the Kindle without needing to use the WiFi. Actually, I usually have the WiFi off because it helps conserve battery power.
And while I don’t need a Kindle or tablet I find there is some convenience and utility there so I weigh the risks against the benefits.
Fear. It’s everywhere. “In order to be safe”.
I thought he was going to say he trained his cat to penetrate into their home, found the router, and press the WPS -activate button
I think I’d respond with: Really, would you choose to have a baby and then cut off its arms and legs just to make sure it doesn’t die in a skiing accident?
I recently switched from DSL to cable, which means that my modem to a remote area so I’m using a USB wireless stick. I prefer wired so I do feel a little bit naked, but I would have the wireless anyway for other devices. What else am I going to do while pooping in this era!?
There are enough people with completely unsecured networks out there. If I wanted to buy kiddie porn and fund terrorists with stolen credit cards, wouldn’t it be easier to access your neighbors account or go to Starbucks?
That dude is a paranoid idiot. The grandiosity of his statements might make some sense if he were talking about someone leaving their home network fully unsecured to the outside world, with no router/firewall. When you’re exposed to a planet full of people, someone is probably going to mess you up. But hacking your home wifi requires physical proximity to your house. The odds of a hacker with malevolent intentions living right next door to you are pretty remote. Banning wifi devices from your home is akin to boarding up your windows for fear that your neighbors are going to shoot you with a sniper rifle. You are sacrificing significant convenience to stave off an infinitesimal danger.
Overall, everyone SHOULD be completely paranoid and follow 100% of the ever-evolving Internet Security Advisories all the time – or stay off the Internet altogether.
However, since Steve Jobs is promising to give out the PIN number for his Eritrean bank account and the chance to win an iPhone ad in exchange for just your name, SSN, and address – well that’s too good of a deal to pass up!
–G:eek:
My goal is not for my computer to not get hacked, but for me to not be financially harmed.
There are enough other mitigating controls (bank monitoring fraud protection, credit monitoring, my own review of my accounts, etc.) that me being online is okay.
Did I miss the news of the Messiah returning?