Computer newbies forum: How unsafe is it to use neighbor's wireless?

I must decline from offering examples or such but about SBC. Here they give out a new modem since the alternative is to lose your monthly fees and go with a competitor. Did you ask them to check on it?

make a difference?

sorry, I just didn't know if it meant I could get more viruses, and since my computer is pretty bare at the moment, I was just wondering about checking email, chatting, and that kind of thing.

The article helped me. I will definitely not do any on-line banking or tax filing until I can get my computer fixed. I just would go on to check my myspace and stuff like that. I will make sure to change my passwords when I get to a safer network.

Unsecure wi-fi: I would assume you don't go over and borrow your neighbor's bar-b-cue grill, mower, drink beer, car w/o asking first. This alone answers your question w/o further details. Thus, you would secure your wi-fi once active again.

As for SBC, ask for new parts or describe your system broadband isn't working. SBC, has if you didn't know gone to another owner besides AT&T or is AT&T. They have shipped new replacements as older equipment didn't like the new s/w being used. I knew some users who had constant security concerns and they did do proper set-up, and SBC had to re-issue PW and etc. to get them back-up. That all went away after new equipment.

tada -----Willy

I definitely appreciate your input and first thing when I get home I am calling SBC.

I just was unfamiliar about using my wireless interenet because this is the first computer I have ever used with that option.

I see people using their laptops all the time in the wide open spaces, so I wasn't sure if they were using another person's signal, or if they were using a wireless card.

If I get a wireless card, then can I use my internet anywhere, AND, is it secure?

it is extremely unsafe to use your neighbours wireless connection.
i have read in pc utilities uk issue 95 that you can acctually go to jail by using a neighbours wireless.
so do not use your neighbours wireless.
end of story

I was only asking out of general ignorance about the topic and concerns with trying to connect to my dsl in the first place.

I will not use neighbors wifi.

If you go over to your neighbor's house and physically attach a splitter and an additional cable to his cable connection, you are stealing that service. If you make use of wi-fi connectivity that is present on your property, you are NOT stealing your neighbors internet. If you place a physical device such as a repeater or signal amplifier on his property to receive a signal that would otherwise not reach your house, you are stealing his signal. Ambulance chasing lawyers may have a slightly different take on this issue, but that is the facts as they are in my mind. This is done in apartments and close neighborhoods all over this country. I know of several instances of it personally.

The issue of your security when making use of any available wi-fi connection is the same as making use of Motel/Hotel, coffee shop, truck stop, etc. wi-fi connections which, by nature, must be unsecured unless you have had to pay a subscription fee and have a password etc.

Having said all this, I will also add that this is normally not a satisfactory arrangement on your part and it does open your neighbor up to trojans and viruses that may enter through your computer. Your neighbor may move or encrypt his wi-fi at any time and leave you "stranded" at an inopportune moment too.

In summary, I would not hesitate for even one second to do this on a temporary basis while I was making more permanent arrangements, but it could result in some big inconveniences and service interruptions for you to try to do it on a permanent basis.

Although most Terms of Service allow for multiple connections WITHIN the structure of the home, very few "residential" services allow for connections which are outside of the structure of the residential subscriber.. Therefore, the subscriber is in violation of the terms of service if the neighbor connects.. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE..

As an example, see the Terms of Service statement for my Verizon contract:

4. AUTHORIZED USER, ACCOUNT USE, AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

4.1 You acknowledge that you are eighteen (18) years of age or older and that you have the legal authority to enter into this Agreement. You agree promptly to notify Verizon whenever your personal or billing information changes.

4.2 You are responsible for all use of your Service and account, whether by you or someone using your account with or without your permission, including all secondary or sub-accounts associated with your primary account, and to pay for all activity associated with your account. You agree to comply with all applicable laws, regulations and rules regarding your use of the Service and to only use the Service within the United States (unless otherwise permitted by this Agreement).

4.3 Restrictions on Use. The Service is a consumer grade service and is not designed for or intended to be used for any commercial purpose. You may not resell the Service, use it for high volume purposes, or engage in similar activities that constitute such use (commercial or non-commercial). If you subscribe to a Broadband Service, you may connect multiple computers/devices within a single home to your modem and/or router to access the Service, but only through a single Verizon-issued IP address. You also may not exceed the bandwidth usage limitations that Verizon may establish from time to time for the Service, or use the Service to host any type of server. Violation of this section may result in bandwidth restrictions on your Service or suspension or termination of your Service.
______________

As to whether the "stealer" of service can be found liable of a crime depends on the statutes of each country or state where the violation occurs. This issue has been around for quite a few years. I am aware that in California and Florida, it's a violation.. It's not your's and your taking it..(See one such example at the link below):

http://money.cnn.com/2005/07/07/technology/personaltech/wireless_arrest/index.htm

Hope this helps.

Grif

Ok well top of the list is do you have your neighbours permission to use their wireless connection? If you dont, then I believe it is illegal for you to do so and is considered theft.
Second if you do have their permission, then you need to check what their useage package is. They may only have a basic xx amount of minutes per month of which you would be using some of this. Same with download/upload limits.
If all that checks out and your neighbour is happy to share their wireless, then a good antivirus and firewall would be next and a secure password to lock out your pc. As far as I know, if you have a shared folder or shared priorities on your pc that would be the only way for your neighbour (or anyone else) to acesss data.
I assume if your neighbour is being good enough to share this with you then they would also be worried about this and they have more to loose.