Ethics aside, is it illegal to use someone else's wireless Internet connection without permission?

Answer 1

As a general rule, anything that's "out" on the airwaves is fair game for public consumption in the U.S., at least. The FCC assigns the frequencies that various devices may use, but if you broadcast it, then it's generally legal for anybody to use the information. Obviously, encryption is a must for security purposes - somebody can still receive what you send, but it won't do them any good if they can't break the encryption. I learned about this in two ways - first, when I wanted to make copies of stuff I'd gotten off broadcast television some years ago (legal), and second, when I studied for and received my amateur radio license.

Using someone's wireless connection involves sending, of course, as well as receiving. If you send something and you have not violated any laws by modifying the "transmitter" (in this case, your wireless card/device), then you're doing something that's perfectly legal - if you send something that somebody else's "receiver" (the wireless modem/hub/router) responds to, that's their problem.

Answer 2

In the US it's legal to use an unsecured wireless. All things without wires are regulated by the FCC and they have not made a ruling on this as of yet. It's not likely that they will do so either, as wireless systems use unregulated spectrum.

Cracking a secured wireless IS illegal and can get you in trouble though it may be impossible to identify the interloper due to the nature of wireless signals.

Answer 3

That's really a murky area yet. This has been going on for years, but recently, in the last year or so, wireless has really taken off. I was hacked to the extent that the hacker actually took my signal, changed my password and network key. It took Linksys, me and a cable tech hours to get it straightened out. He will probably hack me again, just to see if he can. After the hacking incident in December, I asked a cyber cop friend about this. He said it is illegal to steal cable signal and the cable companies will prosecute you for it. Proving that someone is stealing your wireless signal is so much more difficult. As for me, I know he lives in the next apartment building but can I prove he did it? No, I can't. I can only protect my network from intrusion again.

I don't know if this answered your question or not. This is just one opinion!

Answer 4

At least at one coffee shop in Vancouver, WA, you may get arrested by the county sheriff and charged with "theft of service."
"County deputies charged Smith with theft of services after returning to the parking lot after they told him to stop. The charge, which covers such crimes as bypassing a utility meter, stealing cable, and leaving a restaurant without paying, has been used in the past to prosecute hackers who have accessed a computer or network without paying for it."

Answer 5

definite, it truly is criminal. If it is not locked then it truly is the two there for the widespread public or the individuals weren't clever adequate to place a lock on it therefor making it available to the widespread public. So definite. it truly is criminal.

Answer 6

I personally think anything without permission is illegal

Answer 7

Yes.If somebody tries it then its prison they will be going.