I'm waiting on my router to be delivered, so I had a poke around in my new laptop. Suddenly it said 'Internet Established' so I opened IE (haven't installed FF yet) and I really was online. It turned out the laptop had connected to an open network. I'm presuming it picked up a signal from my neighbor - or something. Is riding their Internet illegal if it's open?
2006-08-27 05:36:42 · 7 answers · asked by Ekpyrotic 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Computer Networking
If you want, use it. Yes, you picked up a signal from a neighbor. Keep in mind that your privacy might be violated, if they go into their network neighborhood and see your computer there. So using the signal for free has disadvantages to you.
This tells you that you should be using the wireless security options, and make your wireless network secure.
2006-08-27 05:41:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Searching for wireless Internet connections is legal. Using them isn't.
"Swiping a little connectivity may be a relatively benign crime, and the victim likely won't know he's being victimized. Yet given that cable modem or DSL service contracts usually forbid subscribers from sharing bandwidth with strangers, it's technically illegal. That's the case whether the owner of the wireless network made the conscious decision to open his connection to all comers, or whether he doesn't realize that any passerby with a wireless card can leech off his bandwidth."
Taken from ...http://www.legalaffairs.org/issues/May-June-2005/review_koerner_mayjun05.msp
So ... don't do it ... it's illegal in the United States ... and for the law, there are no "big" or "small" crimes... a felony it's a felony.
Hope this help,
Jose Campo
MCSA, A+, Net+, CST
2006-08-27 13:27:17 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Technically, if you gain access to a network without permission, it is illegal. I know of one instance in Florida where a person was tried and convicted of electronic trespass for accessing an open WiFi connection from in front of some one's house. The fine grey line is that since the network is open (Not locked down in any way), the person who owns the network is essentially allowing public use and inviting wireless devices to connect..
Most wireless network owners do not know HOW to lock down their connections to their network and this is the fine grey line---do they want you on their network? Probably not. Do they have the knowledge to keep you from connecting? Most likely not.
The ethical thing to do, if you know how to lock down a WiFi router and know the person from where the network is emminating from, is to notify that person and assist in locking down their network. Also, you can set up your WiFi access on your computer to connect to selected networks instead of connecting to first available.
2006-08-27 12:48:31 · answer #3 · answered by Jeffrey F 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no it's your neighbors fault for not using a wep key,
you could go ask them if they care about people using there network to get to the Internet or no.t
2006-08-27 15:12:25 · answer #4 · answered by ollme_2300 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The ISP could charge you with stealing service.
2006-08-27 12:43:14 · answer #5 · answered by Barkley Hound 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they dont have it protected feel free!
2006-08-27 12:42:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
i think it is not good.
but you can use it if your neighboor internet is monthly payment.
2006-08-27 12:49:34 · answer #7 · answered by Big Wex3D 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋