I normally use a broadband connection via phone. Is my new discovery legal.?

Question

Following a network break I discovered that my lap top was making a wireless connection although I do not use a wireless network at home. The connection is via a DHCP server but I have no idea where it is sited. The signal strength is low but gives me adequate access to the internet. Is there any legal (or other)problem with me continuing to use the connection??

Answer 1

It probably does come under unauthorised access to a computer network, but as you aren't entering someone elses password it's an open door isnt it.

Answer 2

As mentioned, it is the fault of the person who didn't secure his network, however, it is unauthorized access, but, on many computers, the Windows is programmed to automatically scans and connect to any open wireless connections it can find, so I wouldn't sweat it if I were you. I would blame them or Windows =P.

Oh yes, I would make a self-imposed restriction while on their network - never perform any serious transaction over this line. So unless you want your email to be potentially read/password /credit card/identity/social security, or whatever you can think of, jacked, don't do it.

If you need email, make a throwaway account.

Answer 3

Appart from unautorised access to a computer network I can't think of any other problems that could be caused. The network owner should really have their wireless security turned on.

Answer 4

i have read about a case where a guy was prosocuted after he was caught stealing bandwidth from a neighbours wi-fi connection,but this is rare
in my opinion if you have a unsecure wireless connection you are asking for others to pick up your signal,as you can readily pick up a wireless signal up to 200m,so you are probally picking up a neighbours bandwidth
my advice would be use the connection if you need to,but try and set up a wireless connection yourself ,then you arnt looking over your shoulder and worrying about a knock on the door,and its your neighbours
if you do get a wireless router,make sure you use encrypted security and a good firewall,so no one can use your bandwidth,cause if you only have a 10gb download cap,this will soon fill up

Answer 5

You cant help it if your computer picks up another network...mine does aswell...when I look I can see 2 networks ..my own @ 70% signal strength & another @ 35% signal strength. The other has wep encryption security..I have wpa psk security. I suppose I should hide my ssid...but I guess its all innocent. I can't get into their network (cos of wep)..I assume they cant get into mine...unless they hack. Sooooo in your case..if they are daft enough to leave their network wide open its not your fault that your puter picks it up & you can ride the internet on the back of it. Its not as if you are hacking nor are you costing them anything.

Answer 6

A wireless connection should be passworded to prevent other people hooking up to it so if someone doesn't do this and leaves it "open" then this is not illegal.

After all, how could anyone prove that you didn't just "unwittingly connect to the wireless connection" ;)

Answer 7

I don't believe there are any legal issues here, if someone is stupid enough to leave their wirless network unprotected then more fool them. However, from a moral perspective, you are "stealing" their bandwith and potentially slowing down their connection.

Answer 8

Definitely tagging along on someone Else's broadband, which is their fault for leaving it wide open to anyone passing by.

I'd personally be nice to them though, and not use it to surf porn or anything. Stick to emails and nice sites in case their ISP moans at them.

Answer 9

as long as you don't hack the other computers on the network, there is no real problem - If people did not want you to use their access point they would enable the security and hide the SSID...

Answer 10

No, this would not be illegial. Probably, one of your neighbors has wireless and your computer is picking up the signal. Enjoy!