I know some will say its unethical, while others will say that if the owner doesn't secure it that it is their own dumb fault. I am NOT interested in the ethical discussion of this, but rather would like links to actual criminal cases where a person has been charged with accessing an UNSECURED wireless network. If the network is not secured, and I use it without permission, am I actually committing a crime that I could be convicted of if I was only using the internet access for normal browsing/non illegal activites?
2007-02-22 06:12:37 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Security
As I already mentioned, I do NOT care about the ethics of it, I know ethically it is wrong, and I am not asking because I plan on doing this. I am in IT and know enough to secure my WiFi, etc. I am researching the legality of connecting to an unsecured wireless network.
And the case linked above does not mention for sure one way or the other if the network was unsecured.
2007-02-22 06:19:08 · update #1
People, please quit posting your opinions, I do not care what you "THINK", I am only interested in actual law that I can read somewhere.
2007-02-22 06:20:29 · update #2
It is definatly illegal, it is considered unauthorized access to a computer network. My neabor was using my internet with out my permission. I actually confronted him. Rember if you use there network they can see that in the DHCP client list and it will give your name. Think Twice before connecting.
2007-02-22 06:16:45 · answer #1 · answered by mak60062 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't believe it is illegal. I did hear of some town in New York proposing it, but it wasn't enacted. Leaving it unsecured and having a neighbor pay half your bill most likely would be. I have heard of people being prosecuted for jumping on an unsecured WIFI network, but not the other way around. I will say this though, SECURE IT. Your brat neighbor could be illegally downloading music on it and then the RIAA shows up with a law suit for you, since you paid for the connection.
2007-02-22 06:23:10 · answer #2 · answered by Derrick 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the network is private, it is only illegal if the owner presses charges. Some owners have been known to purposefully unsecure their wireless if they are big into downloading of copyrighted works, as it has in the past been used as evidence that the IP address was not being used solely by the owner and that copyright infringement could have come from an outside user.
2007-02-22 06:28:05 · answer #3 · answered by balisarius 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dont know of any cases of network jacking like that where the user was charged for acually using the access point but more for what he was doing with it....
I would think that it wouldn;t be criminal cause most devices will just pop up and say "hey heres a access point do you want to connect to it?" it wont tell you make sure you are allowed to access it...
The case iremember is a user who used the access point to spread spam...
it was in Detroit but i have no link.....
2007-02-22 07:18:14 · answer #4 · answered by newton3010 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, using the wireless access itself it not illegal. You can get this specific information from the FCC. Basically, clear radio signals are available to use by anyone.
There are NO laws making it illegal to use an open network.
However, if you use those to attempt to get into their network, or hack it, then that itself is a crime. Trying to hack into an encrypted wireless network is a crime.
The link below itself contains many other links to related information
2007-02-22 06:21:41 · answer #5 · answered by BigRez 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It doesent matter what kind of network your on or whos network your on if you have been told to not access this internet and you do or if you use it for already illegal site you will be in big trouble nonetheless. but you cant get in trouble for using some random network if what you were doing was legal like checking you mail playing games ETC.
2007-02-22 06:18:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as you are just browsing, and they are stupid enough not to password it, then I doubt you could be found guilty of any crime.
It would be the equivalent of standing outside someones house with a cordless phone that operates at the same frequency as the owner of the house, and making local calls from it (of course with the wireless, he can use it at the same time as you, and will only know you are on if he knows where to look).
2007-02-22 06:17:49 · answer #7 · answered by joemammysbigguns 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I can't speak for other states but it is illegal in at least two states (Florida is one of them). It is considered "unlawful use of a private network" and if caught, you will be arrested. It's considered a felony, http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,121747-page,1/article.html
2007-02-22 06:17:13 · answer #8 · answered by conradj213 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Below is a link to a case with what you are looking for I think...
2007-02-22 06:16:18 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it is not your network, yes it is illegal.
2007-02-22 06:15:47 · answer #10 · answered by Shmesh 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋