Is it illegal to use a wi-fi signal that is not encrypted?

Question

Help my mother come to terms with the wi-fi world. I'm looking for answers from someone that actually knows the laws concerning wi-fi signals.

Answer 1

It is not illegal, but if the wi-fi signal is not encrypted, your mother is going to be providing free internet service to anybody who is within range of her wireless router. I know of libraries, motels, and universities that have wi-fi signals that are not encrypted. It is not illegal.

I do a lot of business over the computer, including online banking, brokerage, and ordering from Amazon.com. If my wi-fi network is not secured by encryption, I am leaving myself exposed to greater financial risk.

Answer 2

In some jurisdictions most definitely yes. In some, it is not a crime or at least not something that anyone is interested in prosecuting.

When you use an open signal you need to use common sense. You should not park in front of someones house and Steall their bandwidth. Park in a parking lot and use a business wi-fi signal set up for patrons....better. Use a wi-fi signal and pay for a cup of coffee....better yet.

Answer 3

You never mentioned the state you are in so it's difficult to be precise according the your state's statutes. With that said:

The U.S. federal computer crime statute, Title 18 U.S.C. 1030, makes it a crime to knowingly access a computer used in interstate or foreign communication "without authorization" and obtain any information from the computer. A separate provision makes it a crime to access a computer without authorization with "intent to defraud" to obtain "anything of value." Fortunately, this provision also specifies that it doesn't apply if "the object of the fraud and the thing obtained consists only of the use of the computer and the value of such use is not more than $ 5,000 in any 1-year period".

Answer 4

No, it's not. It's a good idea to have yours encrypted, however, since potentially anyone can get into an unencrypted network. My network is encrypted, but several of my neighbors have unencrypted networks that I can pick up and potentially get into.

Answer 5

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