There are a couple of unsecured wireless internet connections in my area which I could access if I got a wireless network card for my desktop.
If I cancel my own cable modem service and use the unsecured wireless network of my neighbors, is there any downside?
Will my own surfing and posting on sites such as this be open to hacking or review by others?
2006-08-14 13:44:03 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Computer Networking
How do I see what other computers are on the network on which I am piggybacking?
2006-08-14 14:00:40 · update #1
for the most part it is safe. Someone who was very interested in hacking you and had the patience to wait for you to surf could get the info you send over the air.
securing a network is so easy I don't see how it could be illegal to borrow it. Putting out an unsecured network is like putting a Christmas tree in your window. Everyone in the neighborhood can enjoy it.
2006-08-14 13:50:48 · answer #1 · answered by goose1077 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, the downside if you have no control over it anymore. If they turn off their modem or router, your out of luck. If they cancel their service or make their network secure, your out of luck again. Also, they will be able to see all the computers connected to their network. Now, if your filesharing is off, they cannot see who you are or what you got, but they will recognized that not just them is connected to the router. You can try it but I would just keep my own service. Now if you do have a wireless card in your laptop, you can pull up next to a hotel that offers free highspeed internet. Most of them are wireless and you can get on. I do it quite often cause there is hotel on the other side of our parking garage and they have free wifi.
2006-08-14 13:52:08 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
1. It would be illegal
2. Even if they are not secured, you may not be able to connect because they may be using MAC filtering.
3. If they choose to look at all the packet you were sending and receiving, then since all the information is going through their router, all your un-encrypted information would be compromised.
4. Your bandwidth may not be so great since your PC is obviously farther away than your neighbors PC's not to mention you'll be sharing that bandwidth with them.
5. The minute they turn on encryption you're dead in the water.
Bottom line.
I wouldn't recommend it.
2006-08-14 13:52:36 · answer #3 · answered by cantankerous_bunch 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a major downside: If they find out that you are stealing their network, they can report it to the police because it is illegal to use their wireless network without their permission. Ask first, and they might let you use it if you pitch in and help pay for their connection.
2006-08-14 13:50:36 · answer #4 · answered by nighthawk_842003 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is illegal. If the owners report you, you could face fines and possible jail time for bandwidth theft. Plus you could be sued by the ISP for all the months of service you did not pay for. The people whose bandwidth you are using could also be sued.
Even if you get their permission, you can still be sued by the ISP for using the bandwidth, and so can they people who let do it.
2006-08-14 13:59:32 · answer #5 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. You will be a cheapo bandwidth thief who opens up your own comp to any hacker who wants to show you how it feels to have bandwidth stolen. Sorry.
2006-08-14 13:51:08 · answer #6 · answered by *babydoll* 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stay with your own connection if you intend to do online banking and other financially sensitive transactions. If you can access someone's signal, then that someone can access yours.
2006-08-14 13:54:35 · answer #7 · answered by paul 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not supposed to do that
2006-08-14 13:50:55 · answer #8 · answered by Giggles 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋