Comments on: “OMG, FREE WIFI HAZARDS!” in the press again, stories contradict the headlines. https://personaltelco.net/blog/2011/04/25/omg-free-wifi-hazards-in-the-press-again-stories-contradict-the-headlines/ News from our volunteers Sat, 23 May 2015 00:44:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Russell Senior https://personaltelco.net/blog/2011/04/25/omg-free-wifi-hazards-in-the-press-again-stories-contradict-the-headlines/comment-page-1/#comment-134 Russell Senior Fri, 13 May 2011 21:03:08 +0000 http://blog.personaltelco.net/?p=96#comment-134 The news articles did a rotten job, notably by not clearly identifying the source of the risk (inappropriate law enforcement response) or, indeed, providing any estimate of the likelihood of the risk (vanishingly small). Any reasonable individual assessment would be based on that information, so the unfortunate readers of these articles are no better able to make such an assessment. In short, the sum total contribution of these articles is to spread fear, whether or not such fear is reasonably justified. The news articles did a rotten job, notably by not clearly identifying the source of the risk (inappropriate law enforcement response) or, indeed, providing any estimate of the likelihood of the risk (vanishingly small). Any reasonable individual assessment would be based on that information, so the unfortunate readers of these articles are no better able to make such an assessment. In short, the sum total contribution of these articles is to spread fear, whether or not such fear is reasonably justified.

]]> By: Robert Franz https://personaltelco.net/blog/2011/04/25/omg-free-wifi-hazards-in-the-press-again-stories-contradict-the-headlines/comment-page-1/#comment-133 Robert Franz Fri, 13 May 2011 17:27:32 +0000 http://blog.personaltelco.net/?p=96#comment-133 Yes and No. Sure - the article headlines were misleading, but they did point out the *risk* of inappropriate law enforcement response. The fact that in one case the risk did not result in negative consequences does not negate the risk. Whether that risk is acceptable when weighed against any benefits from an open node requires an individual assessment. Yes and No.

Sure – the article headlines were misleading, but they did point out the *risk* of inappropriate law enforcement response.

The fact that in one case the risk did not result in negative consequences does not negate the risk.

Whether that risk is acceptable when weighed against any benefits from an open node requires an individual assessment.

]]> By: Dan https://personaltelco.net/blog/2011/04/25/omg-free-wifi-hazards-in-the-press-again-stories-contradict-the-headlines/comment-page-1/#comment-131 Dan Wed, 27 Apr 2011 20:10:56 +0000 http://blog.personaltelco.net/?p=96#comment-131 Well said Russell! I remember reading about a family that was terrorized when the cops got the wrong house (right number - wrong street, or some such). Locking down your network won't protect you from stupid or lazy cops. Well said Russell! I remember reading about a family that was terrorized when the cops got the wrong house (right number – wrong street, or some such). Locking down your network won’t protect you from stupid or lazy cops.

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