User authentication at cyberspots

Just as color television sets and air conditioning are expected at hotels, many owners of notebook computers expect wireless Internet access to be available at restaurants, libraries, and other public spaces. This access is currently being provided on a subscription basis by third-party ISPs; for a fee via third-party ISPs and token-based systems; or as unrestricted open access. A brewing potential problem exists with unrestricted access which has led several governments to force cybercafe owners to authenticate all users on their networks. The subscription-based and token-based models already have infrastructure in place to collect user information. However, the small business owner who is offering free Internet service to his customers is at both a technological and financial disadvantage. By creating a collaborative, decentralized authentication system to be used by this segment of the cybercafe market, network security can be maintained.