Chances are, if you have a broadband or cable connection at home, you probably have WiFi enabled. Technically, this makes YOU responsible for securing this connection and ensuring no one illeagally accesses your internet connection. So – how secure is your connection? What encryption do you use and can it be easily hacked?
Following a landmark ruling in Germany this week, these are questions we really need to start getting the answers for! A musician has successfully sued the owner of network connection used to download and share music, despite the owner of the connection having proof he was on holiday at the time of the alleged offence. The court in Germany has ruled that the owner of the network was legally obliged to adequately encrypt the network to stop unauthorised use of the connection.
It’s unlikely the UK (or any other country) will follow suit any time soon, and in reality the case will likely be appealed based on the eccentric ruling, however – chances are legislation to clarify the responsibilities of wireless network administrators will start to emerge. But with so many wireless networks operating in private residences under the watchful eye of completely un-tech-savvy users, how workable will this ever be?