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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

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Close Name:gslusher Posts: 2088 Joined: 13 Nov 2002
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.


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Close Name:Ibn Rushd Posts: 51 Joined: 16 May 2006
Thu Jun 29, 2006 12:24 pm Subject: Direction finder

Quote
gslusher 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


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