Why do people lock their wireless routers?

Question

I have my own wireless router and I leave it open. I do not understand what the problem other people have with locking their router. I mean, I know they pay for the connection but you should share. I had to get my own wireless router because my neighbor locked his. I went over his house to ask him the network key and he yelled at me for taking his bandwidth. I think people should share their connection with other people. If a hacker really wanted to get into your system, they could do it, locked or not.

Answer 1

You are broadcasting your internet to the neighborhood.
per
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/comments/display?contentID=AR2007021001457

"All that is required for the person running the unsecured, open WiFi hotspot to gain this access is a packet sniffer which accesses, records, and assembles every packet passing through the WiFi router into plainly readable information. That information can then be used by the interceptor for any activity - stealing from bank accounts, using credit cards, blackmailing the person using the connection who is usually easily identified by the person running the router, etc."

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Thats not bad enough?

Lets say a neighbors kid downloads thousands of songs using your connection and the RIAA comes a knocking with a lawsuit.

Lets say a crook uses your connection to place orders on stolen credit cards or worse and the Police coma a knocking.

Answer 2

Because people don't have unlimited internet and if different households are leeching off of them, they'll get a bill for going over the limit. Even "Unlimited" internet has limits.

Because leechers are often downloading kiddie porn or sending spam - both of which the owner of the router will get in trouble for and can't defend against.

Because internet isn't that bloody expensive and it's best to have your own connection.

Because when it's encrypted people can't spy on what you're doing.

Because it's a lot easier to get into the owner's computer if the router's not locked down.

As for your neighbour - I hope he called the cops. Stealing bandwidth is a chargeable offence. Yes! It's illegal unless the owner of the router says otherwise (like in coffee shop hotspots)

Answer 3

You've gotten three really good answers
(1) It can EAT UP bandwidth. Say you've got three people playing a network game, one uploading videos, and you're trying to listen to an internet radio station -- your connection will drastically slow because it's being used by high-bandwidth uses. And you're paying so much for high speed connections and you're not getting high speed!
(2) It is a security risk. Good hackers can use a wireless connection to get into your systems, if there are any vulnerabilities.
(3) It can be a liability issue. Hackers can use wireless access points to send spam, harassing e-mails, illegal music and movies, illegal porn, and conduct other illegal business. When the government comes looking, it's YOUR IP address that they find. (This is, BTW, how the record companies sue you for copyright infringement for illegal downloading. They find the Ip address of the offending computer, subpoena your provider to find out to whom the address was assigned, and then sue you. Your wireless drifter may be gone, but you're still there).

Answer 4

The whole point is based on enterprising. Why would one person pay and another person freelance. People work hard for the money they spend so why should someone else get off free for using the same service? Free only works in open-source and technically that's not free. If the world had the same mentality as you, there would be no economy because you would just take what you want without thinking of the affect it has on others.

Answer 5

#1 Security. Alot of people have personal records on their computers. No peeking.
#2 Malicious Attacks. Nobody likes Spyware, SPAM, or viruses, and I don't want some newbie fouling up my network.
#3 Bandwidth. If I'm downloading, I want all of my bandwidth. Go get your own.
#4 Property. It belongs to me, so I say who gets to play on it. Go get your own toys to play with.
#5 People that think because I have something I should have to share it. I bet if you offered some compensation for the usage, he may have obliged you. I would have. Mow my grass and I'll toss you some bandwidth.

Answer 6

because it is harder for hackers to get in when it is locked. Also if you want Internet you are just going to have to pay for it like everyone else. I don't blame your neighbor for yelling at you.

Answer 7

I suppose some people are more possesive than others, and work hard for their internet connection. No one likes a freeloader.

Answer 8

I lock it for liability reduction.

I don't want the FBI raiding my place because someone had been parking on the street looking at kiddie porn on my connection!

Answer 9

You almost got yourself arrested for telling him that you been hijacking his wireless router.

Do you know it illegal according to a federal law to hijack a wireless router without permission?

Answer 10

Extremely Funny!!!!! HA HA HA.....

I'm not a person who has told this before to anyone but for U dude....... I have to say this for the first time.

Thanks for a little two Points!!!!