Locked wireless networks

[Inspector Fowler]

So a supervisor at work comes up to me and asks me:

"You know how at home you have a sniffer card in your computer that can find wireless networks? (he means a wireless card, but anyway). Most of the ones around me have that little padlock on them. I've heard you can buy a program that can get you into those networks. What's a good one to get?"

Me (horrified): "Uuuuhhh....first off, you'd need to know what you're doing in terms of hacking those networks. Secondly, it's illegal. We have all those laws in Colorado that say you're not allowed to access a network with fake/stolen/forged/etc credentials. Since the owner put a password on it, you'd be breaking into the network, and that would be illegal."

Supervisor: "Oh, shit, I never thought of it like that. I just figured you needed some special program to get into those networks."

Are you serious? He really didn't want to do anything more malicious than mooch off a neighbor's internet (which I think is fine if you're not smart enough to lock it), but he really didn't understand that the owners put the lock on there because they don't want you on their network.

I am often horrified at how computer illiterate people are. And ever since I gave my "cultural diversity" program a couple months ago and proudly proclaimed that I identify with both gaming and nerd culture, I get all the computer questions. And most cops aren't really friends with computers.

[Ancalagon]

I'm....... flabbergasted that he didnt see the similarities between a gate with a padlock on it, and a wireless network with a padlock symbol (and encryption) on it. Is it that confusing?

[NoName]

I stopped being surprised at what computer illiterate people think. Then again, most people don't work with computers enough to have any clue how anything works (nor do they care). As long as they have e-mail and internet porn they're happy :).

[biosc1]

Don't forget the sense of entitlement that most people feel.

I feel entitled to spawn as the Tank...when I don't get my way, I rage quit :o

[Chris_D]

I got to admit, I had all sorts of problems getting internet installed at my new place (took a couple of months) so I wasn't above trying to hack some of the nearby networks to get some temporary internet access. Couldn't manage it for whatever reason, so eventually I used the combination of an external usb wireless receiver and a metal bowl which was just enough to give me access to the nearest unsecured network.

[diablopath]

Off topic, I have a great respect for those who give humorous names to their secured wireless networks.

[pomeroy]

As long as they have e-mail and internet porn they're happy :).

Then again, who isn't happy with internet porn?

[KingGorilla]

Keep this man away from the Pringles.

[Rogue_hunter]

Off topic, I have a great respect for those who give humorous names to their secured wireless networks.

You mean like "FREE PORN HERE"? It's always fun to see my wifi network light turn on and see someone try to access my network. After about 5 minutes, the light will turn back off and a car will tend to drive off. Good times.

[Superman's Dead]

Aren't...aren't you a police officer? Doesn't that make him one too?

That's hilarious.

[Inspector Fowler]

Aren't...aren't you a police officer? Doesn't that make him one too?

That's hilarious.

Yes, and yes. I mean, when I told him it was illegal, he was totally turned off by it, which was...good, I guess? But I really don't know how he thought that it would be okay to break the encryption on a secured network.

Like I said, if you don't lock it you get what you get. Sigh. This is also the same guy who needs help every single time figuring out how to create an e-mail distro list or send 1 e-mail to 2 people at the same time, so I guess it shouldn't be that shocking.