Is it illegal to "piggyback" on to someone's unsecured wifi network?

Question

I realize that the wifi doesn't "belong" to me, but if you don't want me using it, then secure it.

Answer 1

Depends on the local laws.

Often the case it is illegal

You normally need permission

Answer 2

Is Piggybacking Illegal

Answer 3

As stated it probably depends where you live.

However, if you see that as being okay, then perhaps you won't mind if I come in your house and eat the food in your fridge that you've paid for or if I sleep in your bed and use your computer when I want etc....

Just because it's available to connect to doesn't make it public.

Do they have a sign outside their house that says 'Hotspot' or 'WiFi Access'.... NO exactly so how is it public!

A garden with no fence or boundries, does that make it publc because you can just walk onto it?

Wake up and stop making excuses! If they have internet then someone is paying for it and like many folks have bandwidth limitations. If they don't have internet then the only reason you have to access other peoples wifi is to steal or spy on personal information which is illegal in virtually every country.

Answer 4

Laws vary, so be very careful. As I understand it, most of the laws against it were written before the advent of wi-fi and were intended for those who broke into wired networks with malicious intent. I doubt most lawmakers even understand how wi-fi works. It is not like stealing cable television, as has been suggested. Rather, it is as if a cable subscriber attached a device that broadcast his signal out into the public streets and into his neighbors' houses. Are the neighbors thieves if their TVs pick up the unsecured signal the subscriber is broadcasting? We might as well arrest people for being able to hear their neighbor's loud stereo!

Answer 5

Absolutely not illegal. Wifi works by using radio waves. The was a highly celebrate legal case in the 70s regarding the the use of scanners to listen to various police and cell phone transmission. Radio waves travel through your house and even your body. They are public unless someone takes the precaution to try to disguise them. So enjoy piggybacking.

Answer 6

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Is it illegal to "piggyback" on to someone's unsecured wifi network?
I realize that the wifi doesn't "belong" to me, but if you don't want me using it, then secure it.

Answer 7

To be sure, check your local laws but... My understanding is that there is nothing wrong or illegal about it. If you use the network for something illegal or break into a network then that would be a problem. If its open then do it.

Answer 8

thats a good point they should secure it , otherwise it is like
a public wi fi , but still its illegal , also there is a risk using
a unsecured wi fi connection because if a hacker connects
to your neighbours unsecured network he can spy on you
everything you do online and steal passwords.

Answer 9

Just because someone lacks the knowledge to secure a network doesn't give you the right to tap their connection.

In most states it is illegal to steal utilities like electric power or cable TV/Internet.

In Missouri it is a felony.

What's the chances of getting caught? Depends.

When I first set up my wireless I found some public folders that belonged to my neighbor. They had their own wireless so I know they weren't tapping my line, but I secured it anyway because I don't want someone else to tap in.

So you can be found, and I suspect you can be prosecuted.

But the real issue is one of personal integrity.

So get your own and stop stealing bandwidth.

Answer 10

I'm sure there are places with laws against it but I look at it kind of like having a neighbor with a really bright light on in his yard. If I sit on my porch and read by the light of his lamp, so what?