I found an unsecured wireless connection. Can I use it?

Question

I found an unsecured wireless connection. Can I use it freely?
If I use it, what is the risk?
Do I have to contact the person who is the owner of the network? But, i don't know who he/she is the owner.... What should I do if I want to use the connection?

Answer 1

For the most part people are to dumb to secure them. On a second note...have you ever heard of a honey pot? It is a term used to lure unsuspecting people onto the network so they may be observed or hacked. Watch out you may end up being the "victim".

Answer 2

You can use it, as long as the wireless network is connected to the internet. I used to do this all the time in college. You can connect to it just like any other wireless network. Be careful what you do on it, since it is unsecured. For example, don't go check your bank accounts because anybody could gain access to what you are doing over the unsecured air waves.

Answer 3

Well technically the only way they can stop you is by making it secured and requiring passwords and authorizations. However, people setting up wireless for their personal use may not always be as technical about it as that and only want a wireless connection in their home for all its practical uses. With that said, it may be considered rude to hijack other peoples wireless networks because you can browse around in the files of those connected to it and vice versa. Its more a matter of privacy than anything. Also, I wouldn't count on it simply because eventually it may be secured as they continue to set it up and then you are without wireless. I think it would be easier, and not even that expensive, to buy a secured wireless router and install your own private network for wireless use.

Answer 4

go to start control panel and go to network connections view available wireless network click on connection and hit connect at the bottom and then you will connect in a few minutes as long as you have a wireless card in labtop....unsecured means they did not secure their connection with a password....which means many people may be using that connection signal may be weak...also it does put u a risk so make sure you have antivirus and firewall...connect surf don't worry

Answer 5

haha I always do that...I couldnt afford buying internet at school so I used someone's for a few months but then it disappeared. but yea why not? it usually doesnt slow theirs down too much