More Problems on the Net

First, we had "Spectrial", the trial of the Pirate Bay and the Internet Blackout movement against the New Zealand s92a (read about both here)


Now?

DHCP Bill on CNN

Read it, then come back?


Right.


Every single broadband user is using at least one DHCP server. If you have wireless broadband, or even if you have wired, chances are you have a DHCP server, Because your Router does that for you.

A DHCP server is what gives your computer an IP address, so that it knows how to send things to you. (just like your street address is used to send your mail to you)

DHCP is a dynamic IP addressing system. it's what stops us all having to tell our computers what IP address to use.

Most every home user, most every hotel, pub, bar, coffee shop, McDonald's and even some buses and subways (it's being brought in over here soon) have wireless internet and, ergo, DHCP.

Most routers don't HAVE the functionality to keep logs of every connection. They have no memory space, so they aren't designed with the function in mind.

This bill is a horrid invasion of privacy, a massive cost to everyone, since they would be forced to get new routers and, worst of it all, anyone who doesn;t want to keep the logs could:


a) delete them.

b) keep their old router with no logging functionality
or
c) Replace the firmware on their new router with one where they either don't log or where it only logs certain events/certain time frames.

this is RIDICULOUSLY easy to circumvent, and a horrid waste of money.

I encourage all US citizens to fire off a quick email saying you're not happy with this to your senator.

It won't take more than 5mins tops, and you'll have done something for democracy and freedom.