First laptops....

[Racket_Man]

Now with HDTVs with internet, bluetooth, WiFi, etc. come equipped with cameras and microphones can possibly be hacked.

http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/te...id=msnhp&pos=5

[s_stabeler]

this doesn't surprise me. anything that can connect to the internet can be hacked, and probably will be at some point. Samsung are already creating a patch, it's actually a difficult to exploit security hole ( the attacker has to be connected to your WiFi network. If your WiFi is properly secured, your TV is probably safe) and anything a hacker can do can probably be corrected fairly quickly.

[Gravekeeper]

WIFI security is a level of security generally above the common user these days. It still requires some nerdly know how in a consumer market where the average nerdly know how has plummetted steadily over the last 10 years.

Even just here in my bedroom, I'm picking up two unsecure wifi hotspots from my neighbours. Downtown at my office, you can pick up 20-30 from the surrounding condos.

[HYHYBT]

Even an unsecured wifi network is better protected than something accessible directly from the outside, particularly if you live where the population is more spread out. For example, mine *is* protected, but it also has a short enough range that you'd have to be in my driveway or yard to connect to it... and chances are, I'd notice and go ask what the **** you're doing there.

Of course, my TV is far more secure than that. Forget an internet connection, it still has knobs.

[MadMike]

Even just here in my bedroom, I'm picking up two unsecure wifi hotspots from my neighbours. Downtown at my office, you can pick up 20-30 from the surrounding condos.

A few years ago, I picked up my son at his grandparents', who live about a quarter of a mile away. Just for giggles, he turned his laptop on in the car, and watched a whole bunch of networks pop up. Most of them were unsecured, and a lot of them were named "Linksys."

[bara]

Of course, my TV is far more secure than that. Forget an internet connection, it still has knobs.

I remember those. They were HEAVY.

[AccountingDrone]

<evil giggle> Mine is *still* called Linksys, but the passphrase is in 'personal language' shared between Rob and I. It might be possible to hack our phrase, if you share our strange taste in SF and fantasy, have read the same books, seen the same tv shows and movies and can synthesize our language from klingon, elvish and Zarathustran Fuzzy mixed with 25 years of shared history.

[Nekojin]

Get the Diggo-Choppo out! =^_^=

Great books. Very hard to find, now.

[AccountingDrone]

Get the Diggo-Choppo out! =^_^=

Great books. Very hard to find, now.

I agree, they are sort of dated [much like Asimov or Heinlein are dated.] I really don't mind, I can adjust my world view to AuldFahrt mode and enjoy them for what they are, Late Golden Age SF. There is a lot of older SF that while dated can be an enjoyable read.

Unlike one person on a mail group that I have problems understanding why she even bother reading the books I can adjust to a more macho mysogonistic worldview - I don't insist on my fiction being politically correct or whatever crap people whinge about books that are old fashioned.

[HYHYBT]

So why is it, whenever I *want* to find one of these unsecured wifis (no mischief, no major bandwidth usage even, just for a quick email check or to pull up a map) all the ones around are locked and I have to go to McDonald's?

[protege]

If I could remember where I put the login and password info...I'd change mine to "FBI van #6"

But seriously, I had some asshole across the street actually get *into* my network I'd *just* set things up, and hadn't set the security yet...when his computer suddenly showed up. I was pissed. So I decided to have a little fun. That is, when he left his computer on one day, I downloaded the nastiest porn I could find on there, and then changed my security settings and passwords. Don't know if his wife found his little 'stash,' nor do I care, but it never happened again after that.

At least it was just easily-deleted porn. I could have been a bastard...and flooded his machine with spyware, viruses, and a shitload of toolbars.

[Duelist925]

<evil giggle> Mine is *still* called Linksys, but the passphrase is in 'personal language' shared between Rob and I. It might be possible to hack our phrase, if you share our strange taste in SF and fantasy, have read the same books, seen the same tv shows and movies and can synthesize our language from klingon, elvish and Zarathustran Fuzzy mixed with 25 years of shared history.

If those're the Fuzzy's I'm thinkin of, I've been trying to find those books for awhile. >.< Granma had the second book, and the "Reboot" among her Sci Fi shelf, but I can't find any others...and I'm anal about reading books in the proper order.

[Aethian]

Hell even our McD's are locked around here. You have to buy something and then you have to request a temp code thats only good for a limited amount of time. Of course the best McD's to use wifi at you have to request refills, you have to request ketchup, and only the trash containers are able to be easily used. Why you may ask? They found it saved money from all the people who would come in and grab a stack of 50 some napkins, use 1, and toss the rest.

[AccountingDrone]

If those're the Fuzzy's I'm thinkin of, I've been trying to find those books for awhile. >.< Granma had the second book, and the "Reboot" among her Sci Fi shelf, but I can't find any others...and I'm anal about reading books in the proper order.

Hm, I think one is available on Project Gutenberg - yup. Little Fuzzy. Oh my@!!!!! They have a mother load of H Beam Piper!!!!! <scurries off to download!!!!!>

[Duelist925]

Hm, I think one is available on Project Gutenberg - yup. Little Fuzzy. Oh my@!!!!! They have a mother load of H Beam Piper!!!!! <scurries off to download!!!!!>

WOOHOO! Thank ye.