FC: Great idea for 802.11 security tool: Emails the insecure

[InfoSec News <isn () c4i org>]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sun, 22 Dec 2002 02:48:57 -0500
From: Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>
To: politech () politechbot com
Subject: FC: Great idea for 802.11 security tool: Emails the insecure

[But would this be legal to run as Richard describes? --Declan]

---

From: "Richard M. Smith" <rms () computerbytesman com>
To: <declan () well com>
Subject: A WiFi security tool I would like to see developed
Date: Wed, 18 Dec 2002 21:33:48 -0500

Hi,

Here is a WiFi security tool that I would like to see developed and
made available free of charge on the Internet.  The tool would be a
packet sniffer that listens to unprotected email traffic on a WiFi
network. When it sees an email message being sent in the clear, it
sends out its own message to the "To", "From", and "CC" email
addresses saying that the message could be easily read by the "bad
guys".  The message who link to a Web page that describes the security
problems with unprotected WiFi networks and then offers some possible
solutions to the problems.

This tool would be a great way to educate the public on the dangers of
insecure WiFi hotspots.  It would make crystal clear to all
participants of the email conversation how easy it is for
eavesdroppers to listen in.

> From privacy reasons, the tool should not keep a record of any the
TCP/IP traffic that it sniffs.

I believe that the tool can be put together without too much trouble
using existing public domain software libraries.

Any takers?

Thanks,
Richard M. Smith
http://www.ComputerBytesMan.com
   




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