WiFi sharing everywhere

[gknight]

How about the idea of WiFi sharing. Let's say, I agree to share a bit of my Internet connection in return for getting Internet via wifi every place else I visit.
There are so many closed and encrypted WiFi routers, it seems a waste. Near my apartment alone there are 10 encrypted routers.

Wouldn't it be great if everyone shared Internet in some balanced way and thus create a great free wifi network?

What do you think? Would you share for that cause?

Cheers.

[JPnyc]

while it's a nice idea, it's not secure, and therein lies the problem. WiFi isn't terribly secure to begin with, but having it completely wide open for anyone to use, that's asking for trouble.

[gknight]

Why wouldn't it be secure?
non-encrypted wireless in every coffee shop and mall has the same problem, but SSL between the end computer and the server solves that problem, doesn't it?

[JPnyc]

No, it doesn't. Anyone who sends sensitive information over the WiFi in a coffee shop is taking a great risk. Here (http://www.cioupdate.com/trends/article.php/3489126)is an article concerning it from one of our sites. It's three years old, but the same risks still apply.

[gknight]

It's not entirely correct. While it's best to have a WPA2/AES encryption on your wireless network, if the network is open and without encryption, you may still use SSL encryption with your browser (or skype call), and that will be encrypted to whomever watches the traffic.
So, surfing your bank account, or https://gmail, or every other secure site should be safe enough.

[Pilot34]

There is another point of view.

Such sharing principle, will allow ME to surf the Internet in many locations. Therefore, even when I look at it from MY point of view, I get the benefit of being connected in many locations.

I assume that the security issue is not such a real problem, as I trust that such free networks will be designed not to add any security problems to the current WiFi Networks.

[Wi-FiGal]

We've covered this topic in a several places at Wi-Fi Planet.

Joining the FON network is one way of safely adopting a "share and share alike" approach to Wi-Fi. You can read more here: "How to: Set Up a FON Spot" (http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials/article.php/3743041), here "I'll Show You Mine, if You Show Me Yours (http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/columns/article.php/3706306)" and here "How to: Convert a Wireless Router into a FON Spot." (http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials/article.php/3743591)

You can also learn about safe sharing by reading "Safely Share Your Access Point." (http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials/article.php/3723961)