Article: Don't panic, but that public Wi-Fi comes from ... inside your house

[Rart]

You can view the page at https://filesharingtalk.com/content/1...ide-your-house

[megabyteme]

I can see this as being a plus for customers. I would really like to know what the true security experts think about the safety of having this switched on...

[TheFoX]

My BT router has this feature, which cannot be turned off. Mind you, since I am in the middle of nowhere, no one can use it except myself, since if anyone is close enough to be able to use it, they would be trespassing.

On a plus side, I could download a film using the hotspot instead of my main line, then claim someone else had downloaded the film should someone point the finger at me.

Mind you, they should ask your permission before giving away your bandwidth which you are paying for.

[Rart]

MBM this can certainly be a useful feature if done right.

The problem is that it's often done without customers being aware of it (just because it's possibly inside some footnote on a massive contract doesn't make it any less slimy), and it saps their bandwidth and electricity for a service you really didn't necessarily want.

In addition, all someone has to do is set up a router called "xfinitywifi" to get unwitting people to enter their comcast password (and potentially other accounts since people use the same passwords) and there you go, easy identity theft.

There's a lot of problems with imo. I think it should certainly be opt in. Perhaps with some sort of a benefit if you do to motivate you to opt in.

[nwik]

In Europe this already exists for some years.
I'm from portugal and one of the major ISPs actually publicizes this as a major plus.
You can access internet in any hotspot around the world using your credentials.
You can see that it's also coming to EUA here:
http://www.digitaltrends.com/social-...fonera-launch/

[megabyteme]

In addition, all someone has to do is set up a router called "xfinitywifi" to get unwitting people to enter their comcast password (and potentially other accounts since people use the same passwords) and there you go, easy identity theft.

Ouch. How can a user on-the-go confirm an authentic access point?

[duke0102]

My BT router has this feature, which cannot be turned off.

If you phone the BTOpenzone helpdesk they should be able to turn the feature off for you, it used to be a website you apply to to get it turned off.
Very annoying having to 'apply' to turn something off that benefits only BT and not myself but never mind hey.

[killah1]

Is anyone sure if it counts against your bandwidth or if is throttled so as to not affect your own usage on the side you pay for?

[trogdor]

And they keep on growing. Free wifi everywhere and hackers delight.

[j3mm4n3]

In addition, all someone has to do is set up a router called "xfinitywifi" to get unwitting people to enter their comcast password (and potentially other accounts since people use the same passwords) and there you go, easy identity theft.

Ouch. How can a user on-the-go confirm an authentic access point?

was thinking the same thing