Expert: Dan Pepper - 10/20/2008

Question
Sir,

I have been an IT professional for over 25 years.  I am currently an IT Security Manager for a large company.

I visited my parents home in the country and found that they had purchased a high speed Internet service that is based on "Line of Site" technology.  I understand the technology but what I have issue with is that they assigned the computer a LAN IP for both the public IP and the Gateway.  I am assuming that what they did was just create a simple Network using Point to Point protocols.

Is this legal for an ISP?  I know it is not secured in anyway possible.  I have instructed my parents to not do any financial or sensitive operations on the computer until this is resolved.

Pending your response I will contact the ISP.

Thank you for your cooperation in this very sensitive matter.

Sincerely,

Steve Lewandowski

Answer
Steve,

This type of technology is becoming increasingly popular in rural areas where traditional cable and similar technologies are not commercially feasible.

I am not aware of any existing laws or regulations that affect this particular technology, and admittedly I don't have deep technical knowledge of the security related to this technology.

If you'd like to send me your contact information (by contacting me through my website at www.informationlaw.com), I will do my best to email you if I become aware of any changes in the law.