[alexdds]

Also if you are going to change the mac address of the card you would have to remove any external marking on the nic card of the old mac address if you have used it in an innappropriate manner. I personally think its alot safer to use separate equipment if you are going to mess with the law.

[gr8pop]

I'm a newbie here ... registered minutes ago. I'll be joining a group about the Linksys SPA2.

I know absolutely ZIP about VOIP, and I'm quite impressed with the comments, advice and tips given as replies to this particular poster.

I'm not incriminating or accusing ... or nothin' ... and I certainly ain't the "law" ... but I just wondered if the repliers here would have been so forthcoming if the member who asked this question had the user name: "AlQaeda" instead of "prozvon"

Does the thought cross anyone's mind, or does it matter?

Peace ...

[Cybertoy]

does it matter? All the knowledge shared here is already public knowledge.

[gr8pop]

"... public knowledge."

Okay .... but part of my question asked if folks would be so candid and generous with offering information if the questioner had the user name "AlQaeda".

Not a great analogy, but nuclear bomb-making info is probably "public knowledge", but is it a topic discussed on message boards? (maybe?). An anecdote: Our own government recently pulled one of it's websites that may have inadvertently published instructions on how to build a nuclear bomb.

I know the question was not, "How do I avoid detection?" ... but the thought crossed my mind that the question raised some threat assessment considerations. If it's harmless, it's harmless. I've no intention to stifle discussion. I'm done, thank you!

"Whoever would give up liberty to achieve security deserves neither liberties or security" (something like that..) -- Ben Franklin

[Cybertoy]

I fundamentally disagree... Pulling a web-site of information that can be gathered elsewhere is pretty immature and unfortunately very typical for the US government. Is the gun-manufacturer responsible for everybody that gets shot? In the US people always try to find someone else to blame and sue rather than using comon sense and self responsibility.

Any sort of information can be misused.

Also on further though I do not believe this topic to be discussion for a technical VoIP forum. I suggest doing this on other boards/blogs instead (I'm sure they exist). Maybe overlawered.com?

ciao,

Cybertoy

P.S. and to answer the initial question: Yes... I would answer questions to someone with nick "AlQaeda" as it's only a nick and I cannot imagine AlQaeda being so foolish and identifying themselves when they ask these questions. They rather use a nick like "Cybertoy" or "gr8pop" or "prozvon"...

[gr8pop]

Dear Cybertoy,

I don't know that there was anything there to agree or disagree with. I only asked a question. Nice that you considered it not a topic for this forum after you added your philosophical views.

I do truly appreciate that you addressed my question. I feel it was indirectly related to "technical" ... and directly related to "ethical".

If you ".. cannot imagine AlQaeda being so foolish and identifying themselves when they ask these questions.", then I will only tell you that sometimes the most conspicuous is the least obvious. My imagination allows me to consider that anyone could appear as any nick on any forum and ask any question. What or who is to prevent them? Certainly not those who cannot imagine it can be done.

Ciao ... !!

[Cybertoy]

You're absolutely right. I shouldn't have added my point of view and will refrain from posting opinions in the future. I guess I got carried away and appologize for that.

Technically I would like to add though that any US based VoIP provider is required to provide "lawful intercept" under the CALEA. Therefore if you're concerned with privacy I would recommend providers outside the US.

Even with that though your traffic can still be sniffed on the network. Using SRTP instead of RTP with an application like zfone will provide encryption of the media stream. Unfortunately to date I have not found a provider yet that offers SRTP.

ciao,

Cybertoy

[gr8pop]

Dear Cybertoy,

Absolutely no apology due to me, thank you.

My comments were not expressing concern about privacy, they were more about security and ... possibly ... threat assessment.

I'm sorry to have confused you, or anyone else.

Apparently I didn't make my points clear, and I'm willing to drop the matter as far as continued exchange goes.

The info you added in your last posting is greek to me .... I'm a newbie. I don't have need for it and wouldn't even if I understood it ... but thanks, anyway.

Best regards!!

[alexdds]

I'm pretty sure government security agencies have IT personnel on their staff and are aware of these loop holes. As quoted from "V" governments need to be afraid of the people not the other way around. These extremist groups know how to make threats anonymously or will have people willing to expose themselves to make threats or even commit suicide. If they wanted to send a message most likely this will be done with explosives or biological weapons than somebody hacking in or making calls or sending messages from a public library.
Choosing not to provide information to one person vs another based on speculation of foul play is a personal moral consideration not an ethical one.

[mjay2020]

Hello members, I am new to this forum and I have a question for alexdds. I have an airlink 101 router with an intel 10/100 network VE card. Is there software or any way to change my mac address in XP other then the process you described below?
Thank you......