A cybercops point of view (Score 1)

I'm a cop. Have been for over 25 years. I wardrive from time to time over the last several years and have found about 60% of wireless networks are not secure. In talking with folks most say, they did not know how to turn on security, they have nothing of value to protect so they don't care or when security is on the wireless doesn't work or drops in and out frequently. I think the DCSO is doing a community service, (Community Policing) in pointing unsecured wireless networks out, giving out flyers that can help the community and at the same time possibly reducing the potential for some targets of oppoutunity. The officers will not be spending all their time, probably not even much time to this effort however pointing out a potential problem is part of any officers job. If it keeps one person from being a victim, especially a child, then it's worth the time and effort. Those who believe the cops are picking on them or monitoring there computers apparently don't understand what is and is not realistic. An open wireless network is for the most part only going to give someone access to the Internet which would be traced back to the owner and not the person borrowing the bandwith if lawenforcement got involved. Eventually it would be determined that the owner had no bad things on his computer and that it was a case of an open network. Of course much time and energy would have been consumed to get to that point. If a person is advised of a security issue and chooses not to do anything about it, then so be it! I would bet those folks are fewer and far between. I believe the rest of the community would be happy to have the information and assistance so they can precautions to protect thmeselves and rest a little easier at night. It is not going to stop determined crackers nor is it going to keep cops from doing their job since fighting crime is their job. Nothing I saw will change the way some folks thing about law enforcement or the government but I for one say that for each citizen who may not have that computer knowledge and is then enlightened, it may be one less report, investigation or victim, and that time is well spent. If and until wireless security is on by default, works like it is suppossed to and is understandable to the laymen then good job DCSO, I hope your community appreciates the help and I hope it keeps you or someone you know from having to spend more time with an officer because you are filing paperwork!