On Fri, 31 Mar 2006, Simon Kissler wrote:

> I have two thoughts to offer. I will state that we are not a public
> university so maybe my point of view is somewhat different. That said, you
> mention RIAA. How do you respond to RIAA/MPAA/etc. complaints regarding
> anonymous users ?
>

RIAA trusts that (once notified) you will take the right action...
otherwise....So, if these are guests only, by the time RIAA
let's you know they will be gone from your campus (and be someone else's
problem). People who are visitors/guests for more that a month should
probably be a part of authenticated access anyway. If you notice folks who
frequent campus too often, well, you can kick them out or further
investigate, up to your AUP for guest access. If you comply 95% with RIAA
they'll let you go with few unresolved cases, won't they?

> Second, I was wondering the same about Panera and others. I have noticed
> two things in that regard. The recently built Panera here has impeccable
> video surveillance in their store (and we're far from being a high crime
> location). They can probably track down a wireless user simply by looking
> at their surveillance footage given a date/time and looking at who's using
> wireless in their store. Probably not perfect, but still probably enough
> for them to give something to an inquiring law enforcement agency.
>

If there are multiple users, good luck to find each individual. How
long do they keep tapes before erasing/overwriting them? The point
is "doing enough" to get law enforcement happy. You don't have to hand
law enforcement everything! And they probably wouldn't know what to do
with it anyway. There are reasonable ways and answers for everything law
enforcement would want. Again most guest users are nice. They want to
check e-mail, browse web and go home. But, what if....you just deal with
it! I helped in the past get someone arrested based on tracking on
wireless.

> I've also noticed that an increasing number of hotels I visit now require
> authentication with room number and a password which you obtain from the
> front desk. This has been the case at several marriott and hilton chain
> hotels I recently stayed at.
>
> This could be coincidental, but maybe it is a trend at a middle ground of
> authenticated or at least reasonably verifiable free wifi services.
>

I was at an airline lounge in Hong Kong last week. They had a big candy
jar with WEP keys in it. Take one, it's on us! :-))) They probably
satisfied some security requirement need with it! So, can't blame them!

You can always find someone if you look hard. The question is do you spend
a lot of money in advance, or just investigate when needed. If it's a
case that cost you need to investigate < cost to deploy all those
security tools you could, your budgetary folks will be happy, private
or public school the same. The problem with tracking and collecting
everything is that this is the future you create for your children and
grandchildren. Private or public! You've got the power to make
choices (and justify them)...at least I hope you still do.
I don't mean to inflame or prolong this discussion. Just want you to keep
in mind they are alternatives to provide better services rather then
overspending money on security.

(Limited but) Free and un-authenticated access is good for the economy! :-)))


-Predrag

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Predrag Radulovic                      Phone: (865) 974-0301
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OIT - Network Services                 Fax:   (865) 974-3531
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University of Tennessee,               E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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