Open web resources - unit 9

For my open web searches I used Google, since I found better ways to use it more effectively it is always my go to; the Boolean is pretty easy and their advanced search tools and other options are great. In an effort to try to explore with Bing, I did try it first and they do not have advanced search options available, though in fairness I did not try just straight Boolean operators (until now). I just tried .edu with the same search phrase listed below, except in the Bing search field and it returned 39,000 results (compared to 93,500 Google), and with two ads versus one. I also appreciate how Google give you a half screen page preview as an option.

"Public Access" (open OR wireless) (network OR wifi OR wi-fi) site:.gov

I went with result #3 of 150,000. This was exactly the type of resource I would be looking for and the type of information I would expect to find on a .gov website. There was ample, free information, with specific reference to a private citizen’s security while using public access wi-fi services. There was no legal mumbo jumbo or citation of specific laws on this landing page, however two of the four topics of focus were consumer tips for “Don’t Assume a Wi-Fi Hotspot is Secure” & “Protect Yourself When Using a Public Wi-Fi”. The page itself was dated September 2011. As the title would suggest, they also had lots of information about protecting yourself online in general. I would use this as a resource for research.                       

http://www.onguardonline.gov/articles/0014-tips-using-public-wi-fi-networks

Many of the others sites that appeared in the results were disclaimers or how-to-access specific government localities various public access wi-fi networks. There was one sponsored ad at the top of the results.

"Public Access" (open OR wireless) (network OR wifi OR wi-fi) site:.edu

I went with result #7 of 93,500, which is a pdf handout from University of AZ. It provided wireless security information, which I would consider relevant reading for anyone researching the topic and is available for public access. The document was not dated but contained, what I know to be current references and terminology and the .edu domain lend it credence as well. Then I magically deleted the beyond the .edu domain and hit the jackpot. More related information than I could possible surf through and amazing credentials available for the contributors and faculty. I would use this site for reference.

http://www.security.arizona.edu/files/wirelesshandout.pdf

Very similar in nature to the .gov domain results is the type of information most of these .edu sites contained, specific to particular institutions or their policies and FAQs.

"Public Access" (open OR wireless) (network OR wifi OR wi-fi) site:.org

I went with result #NA of 542,000 and ended up changing my search terms by adding personal security at the beginning. The original search was only returning private policies. This was closer to the mark, on page two, result 10 (after 4 ads total) I found a useful potential source. This actual link is to a guest blog on the site, but I started poking around just before scrapping link, I was quite surprised by their mission statement, board members, and (org) sponsors. There were far too many to list, but included almost every name you would recognize in the industry and this lends credibility to the site and their distributed information as an industry sponsored .org. The information was also current and provided links to multiple additional resources.

http://www.staysafeonline.org/blog/guest-blog-making-public-wifi-safe

"Public Access" (open OR wireless) (network OR wifi OR wi-fi) site:.com

I went with result #NA of 4,999,000; yeah, not going to look through 5,000,000 commercially sponsored websites, got it covered for now with the other four domain types.

"Public Access" (open OR wireless) (network OR wifi OR wi-fi) site:.net

I went with result # of 2 of 119,000 & found great information, which was in fact quite interesting and a slightly different angle than I had previously considered (personal security risks), as this covered site covered liability issues from a business perspective (this site belongs to a PA law firm) in the form of a client (or potential client) newsletter. Even considering that this is a corporate (for profit) website and that they are licensed for a specific state(s), they provide ample references and citations of/to current federal laws and all information was free of charge and without solicitation of personal information. This particular article was from a 2007 issue however, the site was itself was current. There was also contact information and lots of additional resources and links. I would verify the laws cited were still current before including in research, but definitely a great resource.

http://www.mbm-law.net/newsletter-articles/wi-fi-hotspots-and-liability-concerns/1229/

            The first site I went to was completely commercial and was a FAQ section html. Many of the other sites appeared to be forums or html disclosure statements for individual entities or businesses (these could provide useful in some aspects). There was one sponsored ad at the bottom of the results.

            I feel that by the time I completed this exercise, all of the results I mentioned could be helpful in some manner, however specific to which type of domain returned the most relevant results off my search terms and needs, I would use the .gov, and follow up on the information from the law firm website. Adding a domain type stipulation is a great search tool if, especially if you kind of now what you are looking for, but even if you do not it can provide good ideas too. If the summary on the results seems at all relative, back off everything in the domain name until you get to the highest level (.edu,.gov.com, etc…) and see what the site has to offer. I think a helpful Boolean operator or search field would be “with citations”.