Can you get in trouble using someone elses wifi?

Question

I can catch at least three bars from my house. I assume that this signal is coming from a building that is about 8 or 10 houses down from me. I am tempted to connect to it. I do have DSL on my desktop but wifi is mobile! lol.

Answer 1

Everyone seems to be answering you with an opinion. I think you need the FACTS!

Computer Hacking and Unauthorized Access Laws
Hacking is breaking into computer systems, frequently with intentions to alter or modify existing settings. Sometimes malicious in nature, these break-ins may cause damage or disruption to computer systems or networks. People with malevolent intent are often referred to as "crackers"--as in "cracking" into computers.
"Unauthorized access" entails approaching, trespassing within, communicating with, storing data in, retrieving data from, or otherwise intercepting and changing computer resources without consent. These laws relate to either or both, or any other actions that interfere with computers, systems, programs or networks.

Now what that means is if you connect to someones wifi you are communicating with that NETWORK and in all states as well as under Fed. Laws you have broken the law! Will you be caught? What is the costs to you if you are? Remember, the attorny fees are yours whatever the outcome!

Here are the links to the FACTS
http://www.ncsl.org/programs/lis/cip/hacklaw.htm

http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode18/usc_sec_18_00001030----000-.html

Here are links to SOME of those who have found out the hard way
http://news.com.com/8301-10784_3-9722006-7.html
http://www.designnine.com/news/?q=node/423
http://www.dailynugget.com/2006/03/man_fined_250_for_wifi_piggybacking.php
http://www.newswireless.net/index.cfm/article/2317
And many many more! -- One just yesterday out of the UK!

SO ask, IS IT WORTH IT?
Wifi is not mobile it is only local area and only within a few hundred feet of the transmitter! Just get your own wireless router -- then you have the same benifit without the risks!

Answer 2

You technically are stealing service since you are not paying for it. The catch is, all you are doing is using your wireless card to pick up stray signals, and that is just like picking up a radio signal and listening to music for free. The catch to that is, on a radio, you aren't transmitting, and on a wireless connection, you are.
The person that has the wireless router may not know they are open to people like you, but this would go along with leaving your house open, its still illegal entry in someones home, this is the same, illegal entry into someones computer. You have the potential to spy on them, and that makes it illegal too. With that, its like listening in on someone's cell phone conversation, that is illegal, and this kinda goes along those same lines.
What you are doing is what the hackers of the Hot Spots are doing, they are using the signal and getting into other peoples computers and stealing identies. Granted, you might only steal the internet, but if you get caught, you could be charged with other crimes.
Plus, if they report to the cable or phone company that they have degraded service, others may have to pay for what you are doing, because the ISP will have to spend money to find out why the service is degraded. If you are running any download program, like a torrent, you could be caught.

Now, this is the grey area, if you aren't causing harm or trouble, then ok. I mean, if you are just going online to check e-mail, and then you are off, then ok. You are paying for service, so its not like some where you are robbing them completly, but the person you are getting service from might not like it.

Answer 3

There is a Grey area in the law regarding Wi-Fi because it is a rather new aspect in communications. So even if you are doing something wrong by accessing their broadband, they probably cannot do anything as far as it concerns legal activities. Nonetheless someone can instantly know who is connected via their WiFi router (IP Address and computer name) and if the user is advanced can be monitoring the information exchanged on the internet. Thus do not use your name at the computer name or something will give you away to your cranky neighbor and DO NOT exchange sensitive information like e-banking through WiFi in general.

Answer 4

It is unbelievable no one so far that are answering see the moral and legal problems of connecting to someone's network. With this kind of logic - I guess it would be ok to steal my neighbor's car as well - he left the keys in it.

Not only that - but it is very easy to log into your router to see what kind of activity is going on - however if a person has not set up security - they probably would not check the status of their router either.

All you freeloaders get your own connection!

Answer 5

I got the same experience. I hesitated at the beginning just like you, but most of my friends told me that it would be okay. I did for over 1 year. Nothing happened. As long as you can catch signal and they don't block it, you can use it. No problem at all!

Answer 6

Its not hacking because you dont have any of their information its YOUR computer its just their WIFI they cant get any info.

Answer 7

Not if they do not secure it. If you had to bypass any security measures to tap in, it is illegal. If they did nothing to secure it, it is fair game, but your neighbor might not be happy about it. They could notice a drop in bandwidth or activity on their router when they are not using it.

Answer 8

If its not secure then anyone can connect and no one will see it. Thats why we have secure networks. If you don't want to pay for internet then go right ahead. Its a little rude to be using up their connection speed though since they pay for it.