Get Secure Or Get A Ticket

Westchester County, New York (just north of New York City) has passed a law requiring businesses that operate WiFi networks to secure them, and warn people that unprotected networks are not safe:

http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/internet/04/21/wireless.security.ap/index.html

Bravo!

Merely changing the SSID from the manufacturer's default, and turning on the build-in (puny) encryption does not deter serious hackers, but like physical locks, which keep honest people honest, and tell your friends you are not home, they are better than the usual wide open net portal.

Theis law is aimed at businesses, but I'd like to see the law extended to everyone -- if you leave a portal open, get a ticket. Not a big ticket -- the first one is a "fixit" -- but something with moderately sharp teeth to wake people up.