Wrong on WiFi
Dear Editor,I am writing to you to take issue with your editorial (Editorial, “Think twice about city-sponsored wireless,” Feb. 10, 2006). I find your argument against WiFi in Pleasanton to be overly paranoid and in some cases factually wrong.
You wrote that San Francisco has a great deal of “hot spots” and presented a scenario where Pleasanton would become “jammed with laptops.” I work in San Francisco–Market Street has not become overly crowded with folks “jammed with laptops.” I invite you to come across the Bay to see for yourself.
In addition, you said that some people leave hot spots open. However, all WiFi access points can be very easily secured using Wireless Encryption Protocol (WEP) or WiFi Protected Access (WPA). Neither option is perfect, but if you’re worried about someone “listening in” as you suggested (the technical term for this is “packet sniffing”) then enabling either option would make packet sniffing much more difficult.
Furthermore, you illustrated a scenario where a would-be malfeasant was packet sniffing at the exact moment while you checked your bank account online. Unless your bank has a horribly unsecured Web site, most financial information is sent using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology–in other words, all bank information is sent in an encrypted fashion.
And finally, to argue that WiFi should be stopped because it is insecure is like saying that the city should not build electrical wires because they could fall and cause damage. Precautions can be made so that the possibility of such extreme cases is kept to the least possible minimum.
Cyrus Farivar
Oakland
Thanks to a stranger
Dear Editor,On Saturday afternoon, my wife and I picked up her son, Darren Graham, from San Francisco Airport. After traveling more than 50 hours, he was beginning his mid-tour leave from his second deployment to Iraq.
Dressed in the army fatigues that he had worn for the entire trip, we stopped to have a bite to eat at Alberto’s Cantina in downtown Pleasanton before heading home. His girlfriend and his father joined us in welcoming him back to civilization. We listened to some of his stories and had a wonderful time.
As we finished our meal, the waiter came to our table and said, “The bill has been taken care of.” We were shocked! When we asked who had done this, we were told that the individual or individuals wished to remain anonymous.
All we can say is “Thank You!” While many say “I am proud to be an American,” I am saying that I am honored and thankful for being an American, and that we are surrounded by positive people like the benefactor in the restaurant.
Thank you, once again.
Ken Koenen
Stoneridge Mall Road
