I have a new laptop and I have never paid for any wireless production but my laptop still connectted to the internet automatically. There is only wireless assistant in it. I am so worried because my mom told me I was using wireless illegaly. Is it really illegally if I didn't break any password ? My friend told me that was public wireless. Is that right? If it was illegal, how can I purchase a wireless production?
2007-10-12 14:21:36 · 5 answers · asked by Ly P 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
There are a lot of public WiFis out here, but there are a lot of individuals that never bother to put a WEP key or similar security on their personal home or business wireless network. Many airports, motels, restaurants, etc. provide convenient wireless access for their customers.
2007-10-12 14:34:02 · answer #1 · answered by Shaula 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is probably mildly illegal. I say mildly because the rightful owner is not taking a reasonable precaution to make it secure and private. Still, you should not be using it since it is not yours. In US, there are only few cities where truly public network connection is available off air. Some restaurants and book stores offer free connection, but their range is quite limited. If you are at home, it's unlikely you are picking them up.
There is another reason why you shouldn't do it. Just as you are using their network, your computer is on THEIR network. With some clever enough techniques, they can see your laptop as clearly as you can see theirs.
Your password analogy doesn't quite work. What if you find a wallet on the street and it wasn't locked. Is it yours? Can you rightfully claim it? What about cars on the street with keys in it? Can you drive it since you didn't break in? No, right? Someones negligence does not give you the right for their property.
As to how you can do this legally.... you will need to have a broadband connection, such as cable or DSL coming to your house. Then you will need to setup your own wireless router. Secure your router, so you can be sure no one else will use it.
Perhaps you can find someone who is knowledgeable in your area to help you set it up.
By the way, you *probably* won't go to jail for it, but you *can* get into a lot of trouble when someone finds out. You just don't want to do that.
2007-10-12 21:36:41 · answer #2 · answered by tkquestion 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are at home,you are more than likely tapping into a router from someone in your neighborhood. Technically you are stealing service you did not pay for,same as if you tapped into your neighbors cable line to avoid paying. You didn't do it intentionally,but if you continue to do it after knowing that you are using a service you didn't pay for,then you could be prosecuted for theft of service. How often people actually get prosecuted for this I don't know. But be safe and do the right thing,subscribe to your own service.
2007-10-13 02:04:33 · answer #3 · answered by Jan 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are getting wireless from a public source, it is not illegal.
If you are getting wireless from the house next door, it is illegal and people have been arrested for it.
2007-10-12 21:33:09 · answer #4 · answered by Kenneth C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not illegal.
2007-10-12 21:30:20 · answer #5 · answered by alphapower 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋