Sheriff's Department Watches for Open Networks
Sheriff's Department Watches for Open Networks
by , 9:20 AM EDT, June 29th, 2006
The Douglas County Sheriff's Department in Colorado is hoping to cut down on Internet-related crimes by equipping some of its patrol cars with equipment to detect unprotected wireless networks. It is one of the first law enforcement agencies in the country to launch such a program. According to KUSA TV, deputies can watch for wireless networks that aren't password protected, and warn owners of the potential security risks.
Brian Radamacher, a member of the Douglas County Sheriff's Special Investigations Unit, said "If someone is driving by on the street they could easily use your internet access to commit a crime, whether it's fraudulent credit card transactions or surfing child porn or something else."
If criminal activity is traced back to your Internet connection, your computer could potentially be seized as evidence and held for months before you get it back. "The unfortunate thing is when we go to issue the warrants or something else you may end up getting your computer seized because of it," he says.
The Sheriff's Department will also provide wireless network owners with information on how to password protect their networks.
Observer Comments
Thu Jun 29, 2006 11:56 am Subject: Two questions
1. ust how do they know which building houses a particular network? Of course, this could be a very upscale, rich area, where houses may be spaced far apart. On a good day, depending upon where I take my PowerBook in my house, I can pick up two other networks than my own. Sure, a directional antenna MIGHT help, but wouldn't be definitive.
2. Who is paying for this? Sounds like the Sheriff's Department has far too much idle time.
Thu Jun 29, 2006 12:24 pm Subject: Direction finder
Quotegslusher wrote:
1. ust how do they know which building houses a particular network? Of course, this could be a very upscale, rich area, where houses may be spaced far apart. On a good day, depending upon where I take my PowerBook in my house, I can pick up two other networks than my own. Sure, a directional antenna MIGHT help, but wouldn't be definitive.
2. Who is paying for this? Sounds like the Sheriff's Department has far too much idle time.
I assume they could use a direction finding antennae to point to the source. Triangulate if necessary.
As to having too much time on their hands. Here in San Diego we have 2 patrol officers per 50,000 people, not enough. They don't even respond to fender benders unless you call it in as a DUI
Comments are currently closed. Please email the author instead.
Recent Headlines - Updated November 10th
- Tue, 11:45 AM
- Product News - Microsoft Office 2008 12.2.3 Addresses Security Flaws
- 11:18 AM
- Product News - OWC Axes Axiotron Modbook Prices by $500
- 10:39 AM
- Hot Forum Topic - Multi-drive Data Shuffle
- 9:59 AM
- News - Google Offers Up Free Wi-Fi for the Holidays
- 9:34 AM
- Product News - MiniMail 2 Adds Snow Leopard Support
- 8:58 AM
- News - AT&T: iPhone Tethering Really is Coming… Eventually
- 8:16 AM
- News - Apple Releases Security Update 2009-006 for Leopard, Snow Leopard
- Mon, 7:20 PM
- Rumor - Apple May Update iPod touch in December
- 6:45 PM
- Product News - MacUpdate Desktop Updated to 5.0.1 with New Features, Bug Fixes
- 5:16 PM
- News - Apple Releases Mac OS X 10.6.2 - Guest Account Bug Fixed, Much More [Updated]
- 4:12 PM
- Games - New For iPhone: Star Rangers, Air Force Supremacy, Blood Beach, More
- 2:51 PM
- Apple Stock Watch - Radio Shack Jumps 14% on iPhone Deal, Apple Up 3%
The Mac Observer Reader Specials
- TypeStyler For Mac OS X is Now Shipping! Download The Free Fully Functional 60 Day Tryout at www.typestyler.com
RamJet Memory: Mac Pro 8-core 8GB Kit $199.99, 4GB Kits $109.99! Sale on MacBook and MacBook Pro 8GB kits $549.99! New MacBook DDR3 2GB for $49.99. iMac and Mac mini 4GB Kits for $79.99! 1TB SATA Hard Drives for $109.99! Click here
OWC: Get the Right Memory / Ram for your Mac. Top Quality, Competitive Prices, Lifetime Warranty. Expert Support and Video Installation Guidies too! 4.0GB Matched Sets from $87.99, Options up to 32GB. Click here
If you're using a Mac, then you've gotta check out Full Tilt Poker for Mac. This Full Tilt Poker bonus code does the unthinkable, it actually rewards!For the latest Apple products use Ciao, a price comparison website, to find laptops like MacBook Air. Then find the best prices on MP3 players and use our comparison tool to evaluate mobile phones like the Apple iPhone.
Laptop Hardware Provided by TechRestore - Overnight Mac & iPod Repairs.
