Am I stealing internet access?

Question

I just got a laptop and as soon as I turned it on in my home it connected to a wireless network. i have Comcast high-speed internet hooked up to my desktop with an Ethernet cable, and it is an Arris modem that my phone connects into as well. Since I do not have a wireless router, I am assuming I am using someone else's internet connection? I live in apartments so there are definitely people in close proximity. The connection is called link.sys if that means anything. Thanks!

Oh, and I asked ths already sort of, but to get my own connection I just need a wireless router for my cable modem, right? My wireless card is a Broadcom 802 11b/g WLAN if that helps. Any suggestion on a router and do I need one for sure if my internet already works?

Can I get in trouble for using this connection?

Thanks to everyone for their advice.

I was wondering, i live VERY close to a Starbuck's with free wi-fi, is there any way their signal ould reach my home and that is where it is coming from? Just a thought. I plan to buy a router anyway because I want my own connection., but I was curious.

Answer 1

Yes, I'm afraid you're using someone else's Internet connection. At least you're not stealing intentionally.

Now to make you legit: Any router that supports 802.11b or g will work (g is better). You disconnect your desktop machine from the modem and put the router between the two. Then you follow the instructions for setting up a wireless network for your laptop to talk to.

A few rules for security:

1. Don't use the default network name (SSID). Change it so you avoid being confused with another network with the same name.
2. Turn off the SSID broadcast. You're the only one using your network, and your machine will know its name.
3. Do NOT enable wireless administration. That's just asking for your router to be hijacked. (See the notes below from people who did enable wireless admin.) If you ever get rid of your desktop machine, leave the Ethernet cable connected, then hook it up to your laptop when you want to hit the admin pages -- assuming the laptop has an Ethernet card.
4. Set up a network key and encryption WPA is best, but only works with "Wireless G" equipment at both ends. WEP is second best.

The encryption keys, which each wireless machine on your network must have, are lo-o-o-ng strings of letters and numbers. Copy and paste them from your router's admin page into a notepad file on a flash drive or floppy disk. That way you can copy-and-paste them into your laptop's connection wizard.

Hope that all helps.

Answer 2

I saw the four other answers which told you the same thing, but I want to add my bit too. Yes, it is stealing, and yes you could get into trouble, but it is not likely, unless the neighbor's connection you accidently jumped onto finds out and calls the police, and then the police actually locates you.

However, it is morally wrong to use somebody elses connection even if they are too ignorant to secure it. By ignorant, I mean they are not aware of the dangers, not that they are stupid.

Your neighbor is clueless to how much damage you could do while connected to their Internet and Network. It is not a good idea to leave a Wireless connection unsecured. The person before me who wrote what are the good ideas on how to secure yours once you get your router gave very good advice. WPA is the best, but if you are unsure if all your devices support it, then WEP is second best and is better than nothing.

However, it is not a good idea to hide your SSID, especially if you are using XP. XP is not fully compliant with hidden SSIDs, and can cause you far more headaches than worth. Hidden SSIDs will NOT keep those who know how to find wireless connections off for very long anyway, it will just make it harder for YOU to find your own network when you need to connect to it.

Just use the encryption, put in an Administrative pasword into your routers configuration pages, (they are acessed through the browser with an IP address) enable your hardware firewall inside the router, and use a MAC address allow list. A MAC address Allow list allows only those computers and devices you list, and none others.

Using the Administrative password, encryption and MAC address Allow list are the best methods of securing a wireless connection. The hardware firewall is also a very good method, and I encourage you to enable it, but I have found that once you create and enable your MAC address enable list the hardware firewall is almost a moot topic.

It shows high personal integrity to ask if what had occured would be wrong if you allowed it to continue. When it first happen it was totally accidental, yet once you discovered you could access the Internet without your own router or connection you still asked if it was honest. That says a great deal about your charactor and your parents should be very proud of you! If you were my kid I sure would be.

A very happy holiday season to you and your's.

*edit* after posting I noticed another person chimed in. I disagree completely with what he is saying. Actually, there ARE laws on the books now about jumping on unsecured wireless networks. It doesn't matter if the owner doesn't secure it, that is the same thing as saying if somebody left their front door open to catch a breeze, or even accidently left it ajar when leaving, that it is OK for somebody walking by, and seeing the door open, to go in and help themselves to the fridge, or television, or whatever. Yes, it is not only immoral, but against the law. Unless a person has offered out the connection, and people do this all the time, to travelers, and such, by placing a symbol by their property, such as on the side of the house, or garage, or if the person owns a Internet cafe, etc, it is against the law the same as the situation of an open door. I did say it would be difficult to get caught, but it is still against the law in most states these days.

Answer 3

EXCUSE ME FOLKS>..
but you can NOT get into trouble by connecting to some idiot's open wireless system in an apartment complex. What would the charge be? If the "victim" doesn't even know how to secure his wireless, how would he ever have a clue to even know it's being used by someone else??
Not moral, by any means, but there are NO LAWS against connecting to an unsecured network as long as you don't actively destroy someone's data...like the dumb schmucks computer or something.
About your wireless, yes, all you need to do is buy a wireless broadband router. Linksys is a very good economical choice.
Sounds like you already have everything else you need.
Don't listen to the "Lawyers" above. You are not in any legal danger. For all they know, your appartment community may have free wifi in the commons, and you just happen to be within range. Come ON folks..at least answer correctly if you are going to get on here and give advice.
Cheers!

Answer 4

Could you get in trouble? Technically yes, it is considered theft (in some states) if the people whose connection it is ever found out and wanted to press charges, highly unlikely since they dont even have it secured, also you could lose this connection at anytime if these people ever decide to put security on their wireless. Since you already have internet in your place you might as well spend the extra 40 to 50 bucks for a wireless router. I would recommend a netgear or a linksys that has a firewall built in.

Answer 5

Yes you are stealing it, also your transmissions leave all your information exposed to view as it is not encrypted. You need to get a wireless router, both your machines must connect through it, it will have cable ports for the desktop.
Trouble can be in the form of fines in the thousands, or up to 5 years in prison.

Answer 6

yes if your wireless router is named Aries and your connection linksys.Sure big troubles

Answer 7

Yepper you can get into trouble.
I prefer linksys products