is it illegle to use use your neighbor's wireless internet? does it cost them?

Answer 1

Yes, it is illegal and here is the proof if you get caught...
read on...

Man charged with wireless trespassing
Florida man faces 3rd-degree felony charges after using another's wireless network from his laptop

http://money.cnn.com/2005/07/07/technology/personaltech/wireless_arrest/index.htm

Bottom line is that you are using another person's Internet account without their permission - hacking into it as it were. Stealing their account access, their broadband connection, their bandwidth - cybercrime at its worst. There are laws govening use of another person's Internet accounts.

Better watchout for the honeypots - they are out looking for you amateur wireless internet "hackers" - you will be caught - eventually!

Answer 2

There is no law at this time that states you can't use anyones open Wi-fi. The only law that may remotly touch on the subject is from 1986 and that is so out of date it makes no sense aplying it to today.
Because there is no law about it that means while it is not illegal you may be prosecuted by your neighbors if they are really protective of their Wi-Fi.
It does not cost your neighbors anything to simply use their internet. Personelly I belive that if they have no security around there Wi-Fi its like they are having an open house. Its their own fault if a bunch of people are using their connection.

For more info check my source

Answer 3

it does not cost them anymore if you are living in the United states where most providers off a flat rate. However it can be seen as stealing b/c you are using a service that is paid for, but you are not paying for it.

I do not think anyone has been prosecuted yet as such, wanna be the first?

The reality is if you can keep it quiet and not sit there and download tons on the neighbors connection they may never know.

Answer 4

It is illegal , but then again it hard todiscover that someone is using your network .
IT boils down to being moral ,and not using their network.

advantages of using their network :

1) its free.

disadvantages:

1) its not moral.
2) illegal.
3) very low bandwidth to you and others onthe network.
4) risky to use it ,as they could possibly spy on the traffic from your computer,so ,DO NOT do any banking on their networking..
5)they can intercept your packets and get your password ,etc ...the open network can act as a honey pot..trap...samereason why u shud not use hotel /cafeteria open free n/w for banking etc.
6)regular disconnection if the network strngth is weak.


i suggest u either take premission first or make sure they arent intercepting ur packets.

hope that helps :
:)

Answer 5

I wouldn't say it's illegal.. When setting up YOUR wireless network, you can restrict access by setting up a password or certain wireless signals and they can to.

It doesn't cost them more money, but they will lose their money's worth if they're not downloading as fast as before because you're taking their bandwidth.

Answer 6

I believe it is technically illegal, but they should secure it so no one else can use it. I hear of people doing it all the time. It does not cost them anything.

Answer 7

Well no u won't go to jail for it and it does not cost them any more because they probably pay by month but it is just not right.

Answer 8

I use my neighbors when mine is acting up, sorry for them if they do not know how to secure their network, its their fault, its not that hard. but no it doesnt cost at all, and as for the first guy to answer, make money whatever? he has been reported for spam.

Answer 9

There's only one way to find out. But, try being a nice neighbor -- I'm sure you know what that entails.

Answer 10

it's not illegal but it's immoral using it without their permission your computer will show in their logs so they'll know some one has used it as for does it cost them it only costs them in band width the bit you've pinched