In other words you are using someone else's internet signal.
2006-10-15 15:01:42 · 12 answers · asked by Makemeaspark 7 in Computers & Internet ➔ Internet
It' s not mine just a kid who is staying with us right now.
2006-10-15 15:06:22 · update #1
WOW I had no idea this was such a hot issue. He just moved his laptop around the living room until he had a signal on the advice of his dad. He did not hack into anything or attempt to enter the other persons pc.
2006-10-16 00:54:52 · update #2
Generally, open networks are considered fair game, as long as there is no malicious intent. You can ask the owner if it's ok for you to use their wireless, but chances are no one will ever say anything or care if you connect to any open network. It is easy for a router admin to secure their network with a WEP key (password) if no one is supposed to be using it, but frequenty the admins do not care to and leave them open for access.
The theft of internet sigal only been sucessfully prosecuted once as far as I can tell, when a known child molester kept using the internet of a coffee house from his parked car after being asked several times not to by the owners and police.
To anyone who answered this question with something along the lines of, "Of course it's illegal duh," I'd challange you find any legal documentation that supports your claim, or any cases that were prosecuted along those lines. Because there aren't any beyond that one...
Open networks are generally considered just that, open to public use.
Hope this helps!
Dan
2006-10-15 15:12:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If the person is encrypting their link, then breaking the encryption to use the connection is considered illegal in most areas. If the link is open, then there really is no expectation of privacy. There are many businesses, especially coffee shops, that leave their connections open so that customers can use their Internet while they're there. That's definitely not illegal nor immoral.
You can argue whether using someone else's connection, like a home connection, is immoral or not. However, that's not clear cut in any case. If you are a home owner and wish to protect your stuff, enable encryption. I would also recommend any busiensses that open their wireless connection to put up a banner page indicating their rules for using the Internet. That reduces any liability they have for those using the Internet for illegal purposes.
If you do use someone else's connection, abusing that connection by staying on too long or taking up too much bandwidth or damaging the person's files, would be unethical. (And damaging the files is probably illegal, too)
2006-10-15 15:19:29 · answer #2 · answered by nondescript 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually this is a very complex legal issue and depends on your local laws and regulations.
Open wireless connections are normally viewed by most as being shared intentionally and many actually do. So people, if you don't want your connection to be used by your neighbours, enable encryption, even if it costs 50$ for a tech to set it up for you!
An important note to make here is that using an open (not encrypted) wireless connection, you are sending and receiving everything almost as clear text all around your neighbourhood. Of course secure sites remain secure, but nothing else!
2006-10-15 15:08:19 · answer #3 · answered by juliepelletier 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
At best, it's immoral. While using other people's Internet connection, theirs is slowed, and anything they might be doing will take longer.
IIf somebody could prove that you were doing this, they theoretically could bring charges. If you are close enough to use their wireless, and good enough friends, you may ask for their permission, but I don't know if the Cable or DSL provider would allow this if they knew.
--Dee
2006-10-15 15:07:09 · answer #4 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Connecting to on the spot community no longer your man or woman may be floor for criminal costs. i could recommend you to connect on your man or woman on the spot community. in case you have dsl provider, deploy a on the spot router which will function on the spot get entry to factor and for you to use your computer to get directly to the internet wirelessly.
2016-10-19 11:26:38 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is illegal and if the person makes a call to there (isp)server and really gets mad at them there (isp)server will take a look at whats going on on the persons server then then the (isp)server can find you then your have the law at the door your pc will be took a way and you with it its best if you dont log on to others internet your pc is wide open no securty at all and others can login to your pc that way
2006-10-15 15:06:39 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Nope. It's a form of fraud because you didn't pay for the bandwidth you're using.
2006-10-15 15:10:54 · answer #7 · answered by St.Anger 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's illegal. If they know what they are doing they could possibly get into your files and see all the pr0n you have as well.
2006-10-15 15:04:07 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
NO...if you are using someone elses Wireless internet, that is ILLEGAL!
2006-10-15 15:04:27 · answer #9 · answered by ○Freeman○ 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
That is theft of services ..yes.
2006-10-15 15:02:57 · answer #10 · answered by Josh B 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋