On Jan 24, 2008 4:15 PM, Bazooka Joe <fastfish@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: > ahh, all true. But if we all ran open wireless networks then the cops > would know that this could be an open network and would handle it > differently. Right now they assume one ip one person because people > like you keep it that way. Not to belabor the point (again my apologies - last posting). But even if everybody opens up their wireless point the police would still have to start by eliminating the registered owner of the IP. They'd have no choice, they have to start somewhere. The home where the network connection came from would be the most logical starting point in an investigation. They might not arrest the person in the home if your scenario were to become common and known to police. But they'd still seize the equipment for 6-12 months in order to do a forensic analysis to determine if the malicious/illegal activity originated from within the house or not. And if found to not have come from you then they'd be hoping to find evidence in your router logs. Most people don't want the hassle of being without their computers for 6-12 months (never mind the social stigma that comes with the police coming to your home and hauling out all your computer equipment) so opt to secure it instead. If someone runs a secure AP that gets compromised, yes the police would start at the source in that scenario for the same reasons I noted above, to see if the malicious activity came from a system in the house. If no evidence was found to confirm that fact no charge would ensue and they'd look at the logs for evidence of others who connected to your AP. So you would not end up being convicted of something you didn't do as there would be no evidence on your system to take you to court on seeing you didn't do it. Jacques B.
