Wi-Fi: Do Unto Others?

Thanks to the gang at This Week in Tech for their podcast discussion about wi-fi liabilities. Although nothing was resolved in the discussion, it definitely lays a good foundation for numerous blog conversations. Ready? Here we go.

THE WIND-UP: I have a nice strong Buffalo router at the north end of my home and the same brand access point acting as a repeater at the south end, thus nicely blanketing my home in an 'Excellent' wi-fi signal.

THE PITCH: It is also unprotected. That's right - no WEP/WPA encryption and broadcasting its presence to anyone who wants to get on my information super-fly-way. Now, after you've pick yourself up off the floor, I must tell you that I live pretty deep in an established neighborhood and I believe the probability of Internet hackers breaking in to the network is greater than some mega-geek sitting in his/her car right outside my home lifting my Quicken data. Besides, all of my PC's are firewalled and protected, so I have no reservations.

THE "WHY": The reason for my seemingly naive benevolence is exactly that - benevolent. If any one of my neighbors is in need of Internet, or folks just moving in waiting on their DSL or (heaven forbid) Cable Internet to be installed, they can just grab a cup o' Net on me. Sure, if it comes to the point where it noticeably affects my bandwidth, then yeah, I'll consider locking it down.

THE PUNCH: but, what if one of my neighbors uses my connection for illegal purposes, am I liable? Worse yet, could the questionable activities of one of my wireless beneficiaries be publicly traced to my Internet account, thus potentially damaging my Christian witness and causing another brother to stumble?

The discussion floor is open, my network is now closed... and I'm listening.