is it illegal to sit outside someones house and and run of their Internet through wireless?

Answer 1

what do you think?

is it legal to wander into their yard and take a swim in their pool?
is it legal to split their cable tv and hook it up to your house?
is it legal to borrow their car if they leave it unlocked?

even if you did use their internet, the mac address of your computer's wireless network card will be all over their wireless router's logs along with times and dates.

if you don't believe me, there's plenty of news reports about people who've gone to jail for doing it:
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=%22wi+fi%22+stealing+jail&btnG=Google+Search&meta=
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=%22wireless+network%22+law&btnG=Google+Search&meta=

starlet108 knows nothing about the law regarding probably anything, the question was not about whether it's ethically right or wrong to steal bandwidth - it was whether it's legal. she/he's probably only 12/13 years old themself so he/she can be forgiven for making such an uninformed comment.

as for what mark says, connecting to a computer network without permission is nothing like watching tv through someones window - it's more akin to walking through their unlocked front door, sitting down on the sofa with your feet up and watching tv.

specifically, in places like california, it falls under section 502 of the penal code which prohibits the unauthorized access to computers, computer systems, and computer data. there are similar laws covering the same thing in pretty much any state in the US, UK, and other large countries.

although the UK tends to be behind the US in terms of computer and internet related laws, there is a law which covers this kind of thing and has been used successfully in court; namely 'dishonestly obtaining an electronic communications service and possessing equipment for fraudulent use of a communications service' which is what it sounds like, using a wireless computer to steal wireless internet services:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4721723.stm

in starlet108's case, whether the people responsible are arrested and prosecuted or not is purely down to which police officer attends the scene - i wouldn't imagine many of them are aware of the laws regarding service theft and will probably just say 'well put a password on it' to fob the victim off because it's cheaper than investigating it.

incidentally, in 2007 manufacturers of wi-fi devices will have to include warnings about using those devices unsecured - which is just as well, there are 4 routers giving off signals where i live and mine is the only one that's secured, the other 3 are probably being hammered by everyone in the local area.

Answer 2

Most service providers have a clause in their terms of service saying that you must purchase service for additonal computers, but it is not illegal for you to use a router. Despite the fact that these clauses exist, I've had Comcast installers encourage me to do it anyway :) It's one of those things where, if they say don't do it, and you do anyway, nothing bad will happen. If their TOS does include such a clause, they are only hoping the gullible will fork over extra cash to connect additional PCs. Seeing as how bandwidth is fixed, and I pay for X amount, I should be allowed to connect as many PCs as I want to the service. Paying more won't increase the service for the additional PCs (unless you purchase a separate line, which sounds kinda wasteful).

Answer 3

If someone is playing loud music - is it illegal to listen to it?
I think it depends which country you are in. If it is illegal then it should not be illegal because the owner should be responsible for enabling simple security features to prevent others from using the connection. More likely to be illegal in the USA where peoples rights are being undermined so fast by brainless laws.

Answer 4

Depends where you live.

In the US i have heard of reports of people being reported for "theft of service".

You have to understand that people are PAYING for an internet connection and bandwidth which you are then taking from them.

It is NOT an excuse to say that they should secure their connection. Breaking into a house and taking the contents cannot be justified by saying "they should of had an alarm"

Tread carefully buddy, you might get done for theft.

Carl.

Answer 5

I don't know if its illegal or not but it'd be damn cold! Just get yourself an internet connection - its a lot more comfortable than squatting in someones garden!

Answer 6

http://www.ncsl.org/programs/lis/CIP/hacklaw.htm

Check your state laws.

You have to be "authorized" to use a wifi network. But they really should secure their network. You probably could fight it. Really most people don't monitor whos accessing their network, so likelyhood of getting caught is pretty small. Seriously, how many people have an IT guy at home or someone with equal or more technical skill.

Answer 7

If they are silly enough not to have a secure wireless connection why not? an unsecure wireless connection is an open invite

Answer 8

Yes, I think the charge is theft.
Public access networks are ok to use but not private ones.

Answer 9

No it isnt illegal - if they dont want people helping themselves they should make it a secure connection xx

\Edited: The way that I found this out is due to the fact I had squatters move into my street and they were doing exactly this outside my house every night - using my internet connection for skype calls. I tried to get this stopped and was informed that I should ask them politely to stop or secure my connection with a password to lock them out - there was no way to prosecute as I couldn't prove it !!!! This is in the UK

Answer 10

I caught a guy doing this to my wireless network and I flooded his computer with gay porn. Yeah it's a dick move and if I caught you you'd have to trash your computer or become gay.