Citywide Wi-Fi, security software and you

The Chronicle had a story this weekend about Houston's coming municipal Wi-Fi network: The network, which will be built and operated by EarthLink, will have the latest security features when it's completed in 2009 — but it'll be up to users to download and install security software to make sure they're protected. But will they? That's the question we'll have to wait for an answer to, especially where it concerns people who haven't really used the Internet before. "You have to educate people about what the threats are," Wi-Fi expert Craig Settles said. "You can educate them and educate them, and you hope it sticks."

When everything's working as it should, a citywide wireless network should be as secure as a smaller DSL or cable network — but that's still pretty theoretical, since there aren't too many municipal wireless networks fully up and running right now. And because many security measures are built into cable and DSL networks, wireless network users might not realize that they need to take the responsibility of installing them for themselves. "It really can be a concern," Richard Rushing, security chief at network security advising firm AirDefense, said. The software EarthLink will provide for subscribers to the city wireless network will protect against spyware and phishing, and access to the service will be password protected and encrypted. If users don't install the security software, they could open themselves up to hackers accessing their accounts and reading personal e-mail or getting credit card information.

We're sure the city will do what it can to convince people that the security measures are necessary, and we'd like to think people will listen and install the software. But we know some people won't, and we have the feeling that it won't be very long before someone gets his or her personal information lifted and blames the city — and it'll be interesting to see how that goes down. "It's a matter of personal responsibility," Karen Hanley, a spokeswoman for the Wi-Fi Allilance, told the Chronicle. "The seat belts are in your car, but you have to put them on for them to work."