Read Latest Entries..: (Post #31) by Saint_Michael on Oct 2 2007, 01:28 AM. (Line Breaks Removed)
Well recently a few major cities across the U.S would going to implement a WIFI network, however, after realizing how much money it will cost most of them decided against it. Although WIFI isn't really new its still working out the kinks especially the 54k kink most of the wifi routers have and trying to make the signal bigger. On the issue at hand there are two levels to think about if you ... read more.
When I go on vacation with my family, I usually take my laptop with me. My laptop has wireless enabled so it picks up wireless signals. I always get signals in my hotel room, and use it knowing that the hotel has provided it. But when I came home, I noticed that a new wireless signal has popped up on my computer. It is not security enabled meaning I can use it. The problem is, I don't know If I should. My friend always uses his neighbors WifI, but I'd feel guilty if I would've done that. So is using others WiFi legal, and if it's not do the laws vary by state!
I don't think using someone else's WIFI would be legal, unless they give you permission too. Its almost like stealing, and it is most definently taking advantage of someone else's WIFI. They are paying for their internet, not you.
I don't know about the Law in the US of A, but I assume it woud be like syphoning gas from a vehicle, basically, you are stealing from them, albeit, a service, rather than a commodity like gasoline, but all the same, they paid for it and without their explicit consent, you would be considered a thief. I have a wireless router, but all the neighbours are out of range, so no problem. Additionally, the router I have is configured to send an encrypted signal, so others couldn't use it without hacking it anyway.
Lol it may be against the law, but pshwa who is going to find out? lol
i say just go ahead and do it... but if their internet goes down, then you cant get online through the laptop that'd suck.....
i'd say unless they are computer savvy (which if it's not a secure network i'd say they are not) then they would be able to see who log's in through the router, and block your IP address... lol
Hmm, let's think... without their permission, it's stealing, and stealing is illegal right? So yes, it is illegal to use someone else's wireless internet connection without permission in almost every country and definetly every state of America. Although this doesn't stop me, it's the only internet access I have (we can't afford the internet ) In fact, as I'm speaking to you I'm using my neighbour's connection... which had a WEP (Wired Equivalent Protection) key which I cracked... I digress, going towards wireless connection security will make me write a few pages about h***king wireless connections, which is not allowed on the lovely Trap17. Although I could write a few pages on securing wireless connections, but this is unrelated to the topic and unneeded. And if they're to stupid or technophobic to be able to properly secure their wireless router, you can probably access the router using it's local IP address and delete the logs of your use before you go home. You can also REALLY mess with their settings, like configuring their router for remote access, or ban MAC addresses of the computers using it so that they can't use it. As Albus said, you could get the router to block IP addresses, although they'd have to be local, and the one's asigned can change, hence aren't reliable . Basically, it's illegal and immoral to use someone else's wireless connection without permission. But it's up to you
Did some researching and came across this article!
QUOTE
The U.S. federal computer crime statute, Title 18 U.S.C. 1030, makes it a crime to knowingly access a computer used in interstate or foreign communication "without authorization" and obtain any information from the computer. A separate provision makes it a crime to access a computer without authorization with "intent to defraud" to obtain "anything of value." Fortunately, this provision also specifies that it doesn't apply if "the object of the fraud and the thing obtained consists only of the use of the computer and the value of such use is not more than $ 5,000 in any 1-year period."
So it is not illegal, but haking into someones WiFi that is security enabled, WEP or anything else, is illegal and is counted as a felony. But I still don't like the idea of using something that people are paying for. It just doesn't seem right to me!
I also think it's wrong to use someone else's wireless network. Although it doesn't cost them any money because it's a set price (I don't think anyone does it based off hours for cable) you are indeed taking what is theirs. I do do it once in a while though Of course my wireless card isn't very strong so that's not too often. When I go on vacation I use the hotels but that's allowed and I sometimes use my relatives' but they let me do that as well. Using a neighbors it sort of out of laziness. They have those cell phone cards you should use instead.
I'm not sure if it is legal but i think using other peoples wifi is fine. If people don't use security with their wifi i'm sure they can't be to worried about other people using it. Then again i'm sure there are people out there who don't know how to secure their wireless network. I think its a bit rude and unfair to use someone elses, but i don't think it should be illegal.
Down here, I think there is no law against using other people's wi-fi but I definitely there is a law being drafted up for those that may "steal" other people's wi-fi bandwith. But security-wise, any future connections IMO should really automatically come with a security setting so that a password is needed when setting up a connection.
I definitely agree its rude & unfair to steal other people's download bandwith, but I agree there should be some regulations/laws/rules stopping people from getting unauthorized access to wi-fi internet connections.
Well recently a few major cities across the U.S would going to implement a WIFI network, however, after realizing how much money it will cost most of them decided against it. Although WIFI isn't really new its still working out the kinks especially the 54k kink most of the wifi routers have and trying to make the signal bigger.
On the issue at hand there are two levels to think about if you using a open wifi port and just checking your email thats fine, but if your using a open port to do some hacking and cracking then you would be breaking the law.
If The owner of the access point has not bothered to enable security on said device, then you are not breaking the law, it is considered that an unsecured AP point is fair game to all who wish to use it.
If there is security on the AP point and you haven't been given permission to use that AP point then you are breaking the law
I saw a doco a few years ago, with this guy driving round DC with a laptop AP card and GPS, mapping all the AP Points in the city.
He found about 60% of AP Points had no security
11 AP points that were open to anyone, were Govt. Dept.
Most people don't worry about Wifi security, but for me I always enable some security.
I searched on the internet and found out that the person you are stealing internet from can inturn sue you for their higher bandwidth costs if they wanted to. Don't know if it would go all the way to court, but if you had to spend more than should than you have a case.
Well hacking is illegal, and that is gaining access without permission. Well look at it from this point of view, would you like somebody using your wi-fi internet access what you pay for every single month? I bet the answer is no. Doing this could gain you access into there computer's files, then that is hacking. On my router it gives me a list of clients so I can always see who is accessing my network, but my wi-fi is password protected also so it is pretty hard to get in. I was installing a computer at somebodies house on Christmas Eve and we picked up an un-encrypted wi-fi signal and we tuned into it to see what it was like and we tried the internet and we could gain access to it. So it is quite easy to do it, but then again, you will feel quite guilty.
Yea across the street we have a couple of neighbors that like to broadcast there SSID for everyone in the world to see. My family chooses to not broadcast it (which I think everyone should do) because it is less susceptable to hackers. Also If you own a network I suggest that you secure it very well because of from past experience, people think its ok to steal other users internet.
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that'd suck..... 
) In fact, as I'm speaking to you I'm using my neighbour's connection... which had a WEP (Wired Equivalent Protection) key which I cracked... I digress, going towards wireless connection security will make me write a few pages about h***king wireless connections, which is not allowed on the lovely Trap17. Although I could write a few pages on securing wireless connections, but this is unrelated to the topic and unneeded. And if they're to stupid or technophobic to be able to properly secure their wireless router, you can probably access the router using it's local IP address and delete the logs of your use before you go home. You can also REALLY mess with their settings, like configuring their router for remote access, or ban MAC addresses of the computers using it so that they can't use it. As Albus said, you could get the router to block IP addresses, although they'd have to be local, and the one's asigned can change, hence aren't reliable 
. Basically, it's illegal and immoral to use someone else's wireless connection without permission.
