Community weekly poll: Using someone else's wireless network to access the Internet
- 3/30/06 11:07 AM
Using someone else's wireless network to access the Internet
by Marc Bennett - 3/30/06 11:07 AM
Have you ever used someone else's wireless network to access the Internet?
Never, that's just wrong! (tell us why)
No, I don't trust it (tell us why)
Only when I was desperate (how so?)
Occasionally (your reasoning?)
All the time (don't you think that's illegal?)
(NT) Nope...don't trust them and it's illegal here.
by John.Wilkinson - 3/30/06 8:37 PM
In reply to: Using someone else's wireless network to access the Internet by Marc Bennett
WHere is it illegal?
by Wisconsin Programmer - 3/31/06 7:21 AM In reply to: (NT) Nope...don't trust them and it's illegal here. by John.Wilkinson
I travel quite a bit and I'm not sure where it's illegal. I would like to see a web site that keeps track of state and local laws about stealing wireless service.
I don't believe it is illegal anyplace in Wisconsin yet.
"Theft of Service"...
by John.Wilkinson - 3/31/06 10:25 AM
In reply to: WHere is it illegal? by Wisconsin Programmer
At this time there's no specific law for it, to my knowledge, but people in several states (including California, Illinois, and Florida) have been fined an average of $250 for "theft of services." I don't know if anyone has been nailed in Wisconsin yet, or what their official position is, if they have one, but Wisconsin statutes §943.45 and §943.455 cover theft of telecommunications service and theft of commercial mobile services, respectfully, which would seem to cover using someone's WiFi service without permission. (All states have similar codes/statutes, though interpretation and enforcement varies.)
On the opposite end, some states, including New York, have pushed for laws requiring the securing of local networks and hotspots from unauthorized access. Failure to do so would result in a $250 fine as well. (So far I don't believe such has been passed, though most ISPs do have strict policies against the intentional 'sharing' of their services.) Whether or not such laws are passed, it's always in your best interest to secure your networks. Unauthorized access can not only lead to personal/private information being divulged, but you can be sued if someone else uses your unsecured network for illegal activities. (It traces back to you, not them!)
Finally, don't forget about the 'evil twin' factor, in which people set up open networks and hotspots for the purpose of getting people to connect and stealing their personal information. It's similar to phishing, except your sending the information to the legitimate website, but others are 'listening in' ('sniffing packets').
Hope this helps,
John
It's also illegal here
by - 4/1/06 4:14 AM In reply to: "Theft of Service"... by John.Wilkinson
I live in Montreal. Although I forget whether it was a provincial or federal law, trust me that it's illegal to use someone else's wireless network without their permission.
no
by jamessteele1 - 3/31/06 9:54 AM In reply to: (NT) Nope...don't trust them and it's illegal here. by John.Wilkinson
i would never use someone elses technolegy to get on the internet.i believe, it would not be fair to that person.i agree with nt.john wilkerson writes good blogs.i am not to good at it yet.are people allowed to post blogs in the different forums??? send me personal e-mail.
Ignorance Is Bliss
by Papi11on - 3/31/06 2:48 AM In reply to: Using someone else's wireless network to access the Internet by Marc Bennett
I recently bought a laptop with wi-fi, booted it up and was well-pleased to see I could access my ISP and email without needing DSL or dial-up.
Not knowing the first thing about wireless networking, I just assumed that the network I used was one of the 'hot spot' thingumees I'd read about. [D'oh!]
Delighted to report that a very nice chap at AOL spent an hour speaking in words of one syllable to help me hook up legally and properly over a secured network.
But for a week, ignorance was bliss.
Other people's ignorance is bliss
by MsKatyJ - 3/31/06 2:59 AM In reply to: Using someone else's wireless network to access the Internet by Marc Bennett
for the people who feel it is ok to rob their wireless connection.
I didn't know much about wireless when I first set up my network and I got hacked. Spent 3 months dealing with the throes of identity theft. I reported this to the police, they couldn't solve the crime. Then, my son came to visit and solved the crime, someone was accessing my computer through my unsecured wireless network!!!
Please people, secure your network. Don't store sensitive information on your computer, bank accounts, etc. I learned about this the hard way, and I hope you don't. And if you think the police are going to enforce the law regarding someone using your wireless network, guess again. The person that did it never was even spoken to, let alone charged until I hired an investigator who did all the work and pushed it.
Just a few words of wisdom.
Using Unsecured Wireless Connections
by gandalfthewizard - 3/31/06 3:33 AM In reply to: Other people's ignorance is bliss by MsKatyJI totally agree that people should secure their wireless networks and am still surprised by how many i find that are wide open to abuse.
In my job repairing PC's i would say that the amount of times i have been able to get that last driver i needed from the net jumping on someone's open access has been a life saver.
I do tell everyone i know to secure their networks and always give advice when asked. All the netorks i put in for people are also secured but that is a small drop in the ocean compared to the amount of them out there.
The documentation telling people how to do it is easy to follow and with the help of CNet classes on wireless basics, there is more than enough information out there to aid the user.
STILL!!!!! if i can get access in an emergency without comprimising the security of someone elses system... I probably still will.
(NT) In a jam I still do but carefully!!!
by bknowledge - 3/31/06 6:54 AM In reply to: Using Unsecured Wireless Connections by gandalfthewizardQuestion?
by miran Milkovic - 4/5/06 8:09 AM In reply to: Using Unsecured Wireless Connections by gandalfthewizardHow do I secure my network?
I will be getting a now router soon. Since my network was destroyed by a outage yesterday. I am sure that mine was not secured.
I am using XP Pro.
Mildred Gordon
question
by amosbd - 9/4/07 7:49 PM In reply to: Using Unsecured Wireless Connections by gandalfthewizardI guess I didn't have to reply to your comment in order to ask this question, but from what you wrote I thought you might be able to answer it. Is there anyway of letting the owner of the unsecured network know that they are in danger, for example from rather ignorant fellows like myself who didn't realize what I was doing until the nagging feeling that something isn't right here led me to the brilliant idea to google it? And is there someway of doing it that wouldn't be a complete violation of their privacy? I kinda wanna apologize to the person I'm using right now. I guess I could start by disconnecting.
But what's the risk?
by lecorre - 3/31/06 3:31 AM In reply to: Using someone else's wireless network to access the Internet by Marc Bennett
Very tempting to use a WIFI network at home. There is a strong signal that comes (stronger than my WIFI) and it's FREE! but not secure... I've always wondered how exposed I would be to use the network...
Or is this just as stupid as people who were worried about using telephone lines when the net started?
I'm still using my own system which gives me a very good to excellent signal but I remain very tempted to cancel my £25/month service and simply use the Excellent signal that happens to be in the area at all times!
I don't know the laws in England
by bluemist9999 - 3/31/06 3:50 AM In reply to: But what's the risk? by lecorreBut in some areas of the US, it's explicitly illegal to use someone else's wireless network like this and can subject the user to criminal prosecution.
However, from a "How would I be exposed?" question. The owner of that network can easily see every piece of information you send over that wireless network.
Also, if you do heavy use of the network (i.e. music downloads, large file downloads, etc), you will slow the other person's network down so the other person may notice---and that other person may decide to turn it off or secure it.
Also, possibly, the other person may turn off his wireless network when he goes on holiday --- so it's not a reliable network.
Personally, I consider it at least a bit rude to use someone else's wireless network without getting their permission.
stupid law
by spicetrader - 3/31/06 8:37 AM In reply to: I don't know the laws in England by bluemist9999In my opinion, that's just plain stupid law to prohibit the use of other's networks.
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