Another scare store

Noobie_2

"If you can sleep at night in the new wireless world, you don't understand the significance of the problem."

Around half of Britain's homes and offices with wireless networks have failed to put in the most basic protection from hackers, according to Karl Feilder, a security adviser.

Some families are so vulnerable to electronic eavesdropping that anyone parked in the street could read every e-mail sent or received.

Using a laptop and free software downloaded from the internet, a snooper can also get access to confidential passwords, browse through personal documents and dump viruses on the system.

Clips from an article re wireless networks in the Telegraph on-line, full article here:

http://news.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;sessionid=YLCWHH2PV1QI1QFIQMGSM54AVCBQWJVC?xml=/news/2004/12/03/nnet03.xml&sSheet=/news/2004/12/03/ixhome.html

(And, no, its not why I'm posting so early - some tw*t woke me at the wrong time)

LincsLad_3

Once again, this is nothing new. This story has been floating around since the advent of wireless networks. It is just a rehash of 'old news' and, being totally frank, isn't worthy of further comment. ::)

^{Edited to add:}
Other than to say that perhaps I should become a network security adviser to the Press Association, and encourage them to regurgitate the same old garbage once or twice a year.

Noobie_2

Might not be new to you but, unless you're saying it isn't true, might well be new to about 50% of users out there.

Think your suggestion about being an adviser is a good one - anything that helps make people aware of the threats STILL out can't be a bad thing - can it?

I look forward to our next tussle!

LincsLad_3

I look forward to our next tussle!

I don't "tussle"; I have too low a boredom threshold for that. I'll just stick to providing the occasional bit of advice to folks having PC problems and will ignore the over-hyped meanderings of the non-technical press.

But to quote from another thread:

Sometimes got to wonder if the whole issue of viruses, etc, etc, isn’t being hyped up to panic people...

Quad Erat Demonstrandum.
8)

Noobie_2

Hi Lincslad, flattered you read my posts (genuinely flattered).  I wouldn’t say that you provide occasional advice, I thought you quite regularly provided good advice that many people are grateful for – I’ve certainly learnt from you.  OK, you don’t tussle, but we do seem to have our differences of opinion (and thankfully, we can – and still converse about it).  

Yes, I am concerned about what is genuine and what’s hype so, if I can *help* bring it to the attention of people who aren’t aware of what is a genuine problem, and if you (and others) can discern between the truth and the hype (and you can see the difference between hype and news that isn’t new to you?), well, maybe we’re getting somewhere.  For example, I think there’s a difference between providing information to people not aware of the problem and claims such as, “4 out of 5 computers have a virus” or “90% of computers have spyware” – especially as these claims are generally made by firms trying to sell THEIR product.  Whereas the article in question wasn’t trying to sell any particular product.

Regarding the non-technical press, well, lots of people aren’t employed in the IT (related) industries and only access the non-technical press, and not always the ‘quality’ ones – but we have to accept that, not denigrate it in any way.  So, it might not be ‘news’ to techies, but it will be new to lotsa folk.  I think I’m fair in saying that.  


BTW - Ta for the link, TOG – I’ll have a read.


Edit:  TOG - before I read any further - The Unofficial 802.11 Security Web Page - this ain't anything to do with marshmallows, is it......

Edit 2: Nope, sure ain't to do with marshmallows - wish it was.

mutley74

similar scare stores appeared when mobile phones where entering the market many years ago. but people still use them despite the risks the benefits have outweighed them, plus technology has moved on loads. I am sure as this becomes more popular, techno advances will occur.

LincsLad_3

Regarding the non-technical press, well, lots of people aren’t employed in the IT (related) industries and only access the non-technical press, and not always the ‘quality’ ones – but we have to accept that, not denigrate it in any way. So, it might not be ‘news’ to techies, but it will be new to lotsa folk. I think I’m fair in saying that.

Yes, that's fair comment but if you are suggesting that non-techie people do not have access to the likes of ZDNet, Computer Weekly, VNUnet, etc then I would take issue with that.

I would suggest that a better way to learn - and I do appreciate that's what you are wanting to do - would be to start perusing the kind of publication that reports IT facts rather than the hype. I am far more likely to pay attention to a story from Computer Weekly than from any of the 'dailies' - be it The Times or the Daily Star.

Do you have a subscription to the online Computer Weekly??

Toxteth_OGrady

Edit 1:  TOG - before I read any further - The Unofficial 802.11 Security Web Page - this ain't anything to do with marshmallows, is it......

Edit 2:  Nope, sure ain't to do with marshmallows - wish it was.

Would that it were!

Only if Fran makes the link the World's Stickiest Bogey........oops sorry, Sticky ;D ;D ;D

Noobie_2

Hi, LincsLad. No need to take issue as I haven’t suggested and aren’t suggesting that non-techie people do not have access to……… However, what I would suggest is that a lot of them possibly don’t even know about……… And some may not even be interested in techie issues – but they’re still ‘at risk’ – so, like it or not, the non-techie media is, generally, where they get their info – albeit ‘old news’ (maybe they just missed it first time round).

Regretfully, I think we may have to disagree (at least on some things) – I still think there’s a difference between hype and information that people haven’t heard of.

And no, I don’t have a subscription to online C.W. (Something I’d never heard of until you just mentioned it). I appreciate that you might pay more attention to it, but I don’t think I need to bring technie news (OR ‘old’?) to your attention? On the other hand, I do think there are people - e.g non-techies on this (whole MSE) site - who don't keep quite so up-to-date on the latest info as you do and to whom the original post was, well, news. Whether they're interested in it or not...

I’m happy to continue with this, even if in the end we just have to agree that we disagree, but shall we do it in pm’s? Just a thought, I’m happy either way.

Noobie

Noobie_2

TOG - oh, if only Fran would - at the mo. a little light relief would be just my cup of tea - with a nice marshmallow to follow!

LincsLad_3

Noobie,

I am not decrying the fact that you bring things to the attention of some people - that is a laudable effort.

All I am suggesting is that, from your own standpoint, you are perhaps guilty of falling for exactly the hype and the spreading of FUD that the newspapers (especially the tabloids) love so much.

You have said yourself that perhaps information about viruses, etc is hyped to cause panic - and I agree with you 100% on that.

Do you not consider though that you are in any way ADDING to the hype and possible panic by choosing to 'spread the word' from what are often - to be honest - uninformed sources?

As I have already said, I appreciate your efforts to educate yourself and others; I am merely suggesting that there are far better and more professional sources available to you: ones which do not go in so much for the 'FUD factor' and hype.