WIFI Theft

[stevenl]

I was just wondering if anyone new the laws on wifi itself. For instance, if say I was in my truck and parked next to a building and a person had a wireless router unencrypted and say i used it to get on satguys.us .... Are their any laws againestt this? What type of crime would it be if any, and what if i didnt know i was on someone elses internet. Because I goto peoples house sometimes and they complain their wireless droping out but when i check their computer they are connected to someone elses router not even their own.. They obviously were clueless to that affect...

 

[charper1]

It is a very debatable issue at this time. As you can imagine, most ISPs view unpaid sharing as theft. Not sure what they can do about it other then to chide the account holder to get secure.

Here are a couple of older stories:

http://www.newswireless.net/index.cfm/article/2317

http://www.sptimes.com/2005/07/04/State/Wi_Fi_cloaks_a_new_br.shtml

 

[WildeComputers]

and what if i didn't know i was on someone else's internet.

I believe the saying is "Ignorantia juris non excusat". I have seen cases on both sides here. One where someone was convicted of WiFi theft, and the other was based on the defense the WiFi signal was trespassing. Arguing that someone else's WiFi signal entering your home is a long shot at best, and have only read of one cause where it worked. Every other case I've read involves the actual Internet Service Provider's Terms of Service or End User License Agreement (EULA). As most ISPs forbid sharing of their network. Back in the day, I recall my old cable ISP actually prohibited a home network and they wanted $9.99 for another IP address.

Bottom line is, if it's not your router and your month fee for Internet access, it's probably theft. Your best bet would be to go to Panera Bread or some restaurant that offers 'Free WiFi' and review their Terms of Service to see if you need to purchase a bagel or coffee to use their access. Also, encrypt your home WiFi to avoid unauthorized access, which could cause your speeds to decrease if someone else is a heavy downloader/freeloader.

 

[chadzx11]

Yeah, definately encrypt. There is a whole subculture of wardriving rat bastards that will post your wifi's location either way. I changed my SSID to "FUwardrivingpricks," specifically so I can see when and if it shows up on one of those maps.

 

[PowerMax]

LMAO!!! That is a little excessive, why not just NOT BROADCAST your SSID?

 

[chadzx11]

Because then I could not deliver my message. It does not say FU, I went whole hog and broadcast the entire phrase. As an added bonus, I think it is funny as hell.

 

[SatinKzo]

Not broadcasting the SSID will only stop the accidental freeloader and the extremely new wardriver.

 

[KE4EST]

He can always change it again.

 

[charper1]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070116/ap_on_hi_te/internet_charges

I know this is in Singapore, but can we be that far behind their laws if not ahead?

 

[ZawNH-VT]

mine is wide open and its on different vlan so its totally sperate from my home network. Only port open is 80 on there. I don't care if anyone use it, as long as they don't abuse it. Abuser's MAC address are banned! I use other open networks too, that's how things should be.

 

[SatinKzo]

He can always change it again.

You can change it all you want, never broadcast it etc. Only take a few minutes to scan and find it again.

 

[ZawNH-VT]

I keep my free and I was monitoring today to see which website people are visiting etc.

Two of the three clients were visiting gay website, they were different signal strength so they probably from different places.

last one is actually using it to check emails and watch you tube etc.

I banned MAC adress of two gay porn site visitors on my router.

 

[SatinKzo]

Zawn, what are you using to do that monitoring? I'm always curious what people are using if it's something other than SNMP

 

[SatAdam]

You can use any router monitoring software.... I use WallWatcher to monitor 3 routers and a dedicated firewall box.

 

[SatinKzo]

SatAdam,
Yeah, I have used that one too. I just like to hear what people are using.

 

[chadzx11]

I keep my free and I was monitoring today to see which website people are visiting etc.

Two of the three clients were visiting gay website, they were different signal strength so they probably from different places.

last one is actually using it to check emails and watch you tube etc.

I banned MAC adress of two gay porn site visitors on my router.

That's why my stuff is locked. Only reason I can see for thieving my wireless is for illegal purposes that someone doesn't want to do at home. Child Porn, ect. I would go to jail if I caught somebody doing that. I'd kick their ass on GP, and probably to within an inch of their life for involving me in it.

Besides, if you want to look at tossed salad man pix , do it at home.