is it illegal to connect to someones Wireless router and use their internet?

Question

i am connected to most likley a neighbors router, they dont have it secured or anything so i can get right on with out a problem and use there internet, is this legal or illegal? (me personal i think it is legal but my parents think that it is illegal) so i would like to know

but if they didnt want other people to use their internt or connect to there wireless router they should secure it, it only takes like less than 5 minutes, and if you dont know how to thats what the user manual is for

is just connecting to their network considered "Hacking"?

i do have a wireless router and DSL but my internet got shut off and should be turned back on next week or so

Answer 1

It is illegal. It is called "theft of services". You can be sued by the neighbors ISP for using their service without paying. You could also be sued and face criminal charges from your neighbors for hacking into their system. Most people today are getting 3-5 year prison sentences for doing it. Working in computer IT, I see this happen regularly.

Plus you place yourself at risk that should your neighbor use the Internet to commit a crime, such as downloading child porn (usually at 15-30 year sentence), send threatening or harrassing e-mails, spam, etc., they could turn around and CLAIM the it was YOU doing it, not them. After all, they can already prove you are a criminal hacker. You could find yourself in serious legal trouble.

Plus if I were the neighbor, and discovered you in my network, I can guarantee that your computer would suddenly become infected with every spyware, virus, etc, I could find to push onto your PC. Or simple go in and format your hard drive and wipe everything off it.

So for your own safety, you should NOT be hacking into someone else's network. It is not only a crime, it is stupid.

Answer 2

Would it be illegal if someone kept riding your bike with out you knowing about it?

Same thing only different.

You might try asking them if you could surf on their wave. But they are footing the bill and would probably enjoy the extra speed your surfing is stealing from them. Their router doesn't know who is allowed on, so it shares the bandwidth equally. The neighbors may think that their computers infected and is running slower when it is only your browsing the web at the same time, downloading your stuff, that is slowing down their enjoyment of the internet.

Cough up the cash to get you own connection, and knowing that it is illegal, will it stop you.

If we didn't have to defend ourselves from thieves, there wouldn't be any need to set the security on the router. Just because someone doesn't lock his door, does it give you the right to steal his TV. Odds are his TV will be stolen, still doesn't make it right.

Answer 3

While it may (or may not) be technically illegal, all should be well as long as you don't abuse the connection. thereby possibly attracting attention to yourself.

As long as you don't do anything that's bandwidth-intensive -- things like major file downloading, or extended viewing of internet video, or shipping out 40 million pieces of spam email -- it is a harmless enough diversion.

Just don't be a bandwidth hog. And if your parents continue to object, tell them to put their money where their mouths are. They, too, may find reasonably decent wireless routers for about 50 bucks at Wally World.

Answer 4

Hey,you got people who cheat the taxpaying factory workers out of billions a year in not paying anything in taxes every year.Look at the Wilkens family of Nashua,Iowa.8,000,000.00 in profits in one year-00000.00-paid in taxes.Skiltons there lawyer-thank god for off shore accounts to hide all that money in.NICE FAMILY.

Answer 5

Yes, it is illegal to piggyback on other people's wireless internet

Answer 6

If you are piggy backing on someone else's service WithOUT their knowledge or permission it is ILLEGAL. I'd stop now...it's basically stealing...they are paying for a service and you're using it free of charge AND without their a-okay. Stop now!

Answer 7

it's illegal and it slows down their connection, I know because my neighbors tried the same thing.

Answer 8

yup its illegal. on the news this guy got arrested b/c he would sit outside someplace and use his laptop everyday and they figured out he was using their internet.

Answer 9

yes, its pretty much the same as 'pirating'
cable from someone else; would u want
someone taping into your lines?

Answer 10

Sure