Windows 10's Wi-Fi Sense password sharing sparks security concerns

With the launch of Windows 10, anyone who walks into your house and gets your Wi-Fi password for their PC could potentially let all their friends onto your network, thanks to a new feature that has ignited controversy online.

Called Wi-Fi Sense, the feature is designed to make it easier for people to get Internet access for their devices while they’re on the go by automatically logging them into wireless hotspots. It does so with a two-pronged approach: by logging users into select open networks and also by allowing them to share secured connections with their friends (and vice versa). Perhaps unsurprisingly, that has drawn the ire of people who care about wireless security.

Windows 10's Wi-Fi Sense password sharing sparks security concerns | TechHive

I don't really see this as a problem, unless my understanding is totally wrong

I allow access via Sense on my phone, 2 friends come round and get access straight away through it, they do not get the password but get internet access because my phone has shared it, which I can turn off at any time and they lose access

if these 2 friends do share the access to people I don't know, they will all need to be in my house to access it

if at any point I deny access, the original 2 will lose the access, and because they cannot access it anymore they also cannot share it

if we are talking about open public wifi, then anybody can get access anyway, so the only thing this simplifies is having to enter a password

that's my thoughts, I don't see an issue

Think about a work situation. I befriend you, you work at xyz comoany, I hang in your parking lot and get on your network. All because a sloppy admin forgot to disable it totally.

Compusmurf said:

Think about a work situation. I befriend you, you work at xyz comoany, I hang in your parking lot and get on your network. All because a sloppy admin forgot to disable it totally.

would wifi reach far into a parking lot without security seeing you and wondering what you are doing
would the sloppy admin have you in their contact list

Depends on lots of things which control wifi strength and propogation. I don't need the admin, only friend you and get you to put me in your contacts. It's a good idea, poor execution. I am sure a GPO can disable this mess tho.

Would not work at the company I work for, have rsa keys that control who can access wifi. :)