Just bought a new laptop and when I fired it up it picked up a remote Belkin wireless signal which gives me internet access.
Firstly, is this illegal or will it get me in the poo and secondly is it risky re the integrity of my system.
Im waiting for my own wireless connection anyway, but Im intrigued now.
Thanks
2007-01-29 22:48:19 · 13 answers · asked by Sebastian Two-Tails 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Security
no. if they dont secure their network then its their own fault.
just use antivirus (avast) and firewall. i recommend the Windows XP firewall AND ZoneAlarm, as these will alert you of any access to your computer.
neighbours probs wont even notice. they probably dont even know what the router's main purpose is and wont notice.
the only time they'd notice is if they are on a capped broadband service, and it goes way over their monthly allowance. LOL.
but theres no comeback to you. they'll never know its you unless they nick ur laptop and go into your wireless networks, or if you tell them.
carry on as you do
2007-01-30 04:18:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Legality depends upon your location. There is no Federal law on this in the US. Some states or localaties have tried to limit this but the jury is still out on jurisdiction since the airwaves are regulated by the FCC, a Federal agency. As a practical matter, if you're in your home there's no way to identify who you are and that you are the interloper.
As to risk, any internet connection is risky if you're not firewalled and protected by anti-virus and anti-spyware software. Anyone else on the wireless network does have access to your machine if you don't protect yourself.
2007-01-30 08:31:43 · answer #2 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In this case i don't think the Singapore police will have jurisdiction over your case, but rather you might have charges filed against you somewhere in North Africa by a little known group called NALAG-WiFi So be very careful !
You can use any "open" signal you want. If your computer picks it up - and it works... USE IT.
Make sure your firewall is on and like someone else said... your file sharing is turned off.
2007-01-30 10:20:06 · answer #3 · answered by Develin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is stealing as the person with the wireless connection has paid for the broadband and you are stealing what they paid for.
It is unlikely they would be able to find out who you are though and if they don't know enough to encrypt the connection they probably don't know enough to spot someone else using the connection.
As to safety of your system the only problem would be if you were sending personal data oner the open connection, it is possible though probably unlikely that someone would be able to pick this up
2007-01-30 08:30:46 · answer #4 · answered by Gordon B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use it as it may be from a free wi site. Then if it from the neighbor he should have made it unaccessible. When you pay for the internet it is a flat rate. Someone may have a wifi for their computer nearby. What might happen is that it slows his computer down, but he may not know.
As far as being illegal. I would not think so. But then you did not say where you are at. Rules different for every state just like driving.
2007-01-30 06:56:15 · answer #5 · answered by Big C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES! Its ILLEGAL!
If found, u may be charged under Singapore's newly-enforced "Computer Misuse Act".
A 17-year old student, Garyl Tan Jia Luo had juz been sentenced to 18 months of probation by the court.
U can refer to d following links for further reference;
2007-01-30 08:43:47 · answer #6 · answered by stwig 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's certainly dubious, but I don' think there has ever been a legal case to determine whether it is illegal.
However, if the person who owns the wireless network is unable to set it up securely then the chances of them even knowing you are using it are close to zero. And even if they do, they're hardly likely to take you to court over it!
As long as you have firewall and antivirus software on your laptop, you're not exposing yourself to any great risk.
2007-01-30 06:54:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I've been using one now and again with great success for me. I doubt it will cause any problems for the host as the speed of the internet etc is usually dependant on the amount of traffic at the time of day not the connection through their hub. i will be getting my own broadband connection soon anyway.
2007-01-30 07:00:03 · answer #8 · answered by multibite 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, stealing someone elses connection is illegal, No I dont care because I have done it myself plenty of times, and its people who dont lock there network that is to blame. They are pretty much asking people to steal there bandwith. Anyways, I would just be careful because alot of routers are coming out with software that alerts you when a computer has joined your wirless network, and it will give them your MAC address. You can be easily tracked by that..
2007-01-30 06:53:00 · answer #9 · answered by keith s 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No its not illegal unless you do illegal things while connected. I am surprised there isn't a security gate to prevent unauthorized use.
You system integrity is no more in jepordy than any other unsecure connection...
Good Luck
2007-01-30 06:54:59 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋