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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to steal broad band??

57 replies

macdoodle · 14/02/2010 23:38

Am staying at my mums house,brought my lap top to do some paperwork stuff!

My mum doesnt have internet at all, but one of her neighbours has a unsecured broadband which my laptop has picked up.

So I am connected and using it, AIBU??

OP posts:

ooojimaflip · 15/02/2010 15:08

YANBU. If they didn't want people to use it they would have secured it.

fillybuster · 15/02/2010 15:12

YAB a bit U - it is stealing, even if it doesn't feel like it. And browsing still adds to data usage, even if it doesn't impact as badly as downloading large files.

Having said that (and despite being someone who has run the Broadband portfolio for an ISP for the last 6 years!), I would probably be tempted to do the same in your position if it was only for a small amount of access and I was careful not to abuse it.

kansasmum · 15/02/2010 15:23

You said it in your thread title:"AIBU to STEAL broadband."

You know you are stealing and yes, it is wrong.

GypsyMoth · 15/02/2010 15:28

wrong...but you know that dont you? and do it anyway!

Pikelit · 15/02/2010 15:29

I'm with the "secure it or expect people to use it" camp. Not that my broadband is secure. But it'd take such initiative to come all the way out here and log onto my (unlimited download) broadband service that I'd be minded to invite any "stealers" in so they can use the service from the comfort of my office.

I think it is taking the piss to assume you can permanently piggy back off a broadband service that someone else is being ripped off, paying for though. But occasional use is no different to friends and family checking their i-Phones and BlackBerries for email/latest scores etc via your home wireless connection.

herbietea · 15/02/2010 15:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

thedollshouse · 15/02/2010 15:35

YABU.

I'm assuming that our broadband is secure, but being a technophobe I have no idea.

My nieces are on the internet as soon as they come home from school until they go to bed and all weekend. They have managed to log into a neighbours unsecured broadband connection, they download music videos and music without paying. How can the neighbours have not noticed? Can more than one user use a broadband connection at the same time?

Pikelit · 15/02/2010 15:39

"Can more than one user use a broadband connection at the same time? "

Easily. It's delivered via wireless. We've got three computers here. All of which could access the broadband simultaneously. As can any other compatible wireless device - i-Phone, BlackBerry etc. In fact my broadband service caters for 9 computers without any (theoretical) loss of speed.

2old4thislark · 15/02/2010 15:42

I think if it's just occasional and you are just browsing then not a problem. I'm presuming if you don't know who it belongs to then it's high density housing so people really should secure their broardband.

Technically it's wrong but I think there's a lot worse crimes!

mistlethrush · 15/02/2010 15:46

Just be warned.... A computer geek friend of mine found someone on his network and sent their computer a little present that meant that it shut down a few seconds after booting up...

fillybuster · 15/02/2010 15:46

FWIW, some people choose to leave their network unsecured in order to enable their friends, family, neighbours etc to piggyback their connectivity.

Admittedly that happens less now that ISPs have started cracking down on usage, and its probably just that someone hasn't secured their connection by mistake, but it is a possibility...

Gluggy · 15/02/2010 15:49

Why does is make a difference if you are only browsing??????

It's not yours so you shouldn't do it.

TrillianAstra · 15/02/2010 15:59

Some peole choose to leave their networks unsecured in order to hack into the computers of anyone who joins the network. It's called a honeytrap.

If it's only a small amount and only for a few days I would do it, TBH.

overthehillandfaraway · 15/02/2010 16:08

Technically stealing but - as a one off - go for it.

Owner's responsible for securing their broadband and if they don't know how they can always contact their providers helpline.

I have thought about doing the same when my own broadband had problems but all of my neighbours have secured theirs - damn !!

usualsuspect · 15/02/2010 16:08

Go for it, I would

FabIsGoingToBeFabIn2010 · 15/02/2010 16:54

I recently read about someone who had done this and they got a fine..

It is never okay to steal.

JumpJockey · 15/02/2010 16:58

Interesting! I asked recently if I was BU not to let a random lady who'd moved in next door for a couple of months use our broadband - and virtually everyone said not at all and that she was being unreasonable to ask! Is this different because OP's mum's neighbour hasn't secured their account?

TheDevilWearsPrimark · 15/02/2010 17:01

I had my broadband unsecured for a while as I got a new laptop and had forgotten my network password.

A Techy friend came over and found out four other people were using my network - I didn't care at all until he pointed out the risks and sorted me out with a secure one.

Am I right in thinking bt use residential customers 'homehubs' for their wireless browsing service?

Pikelit · 15/02/2010 17:01

Difference is probably all to do with duration. Your neighbour couldn't be arsed to sort herself with broadband for a couple of months. Not difficult given that she could get a dongle.

OP is, presumably, merely visiting her mum and doesn't intend to borrow the broadband on a well nigh permanent basis.

TrillianAstra · 15/02/2010 17:31

BT homehubs have built-in security I believe - you have to type in the code that's on the back of the box.

123andaway · 15/02/2010 17:46

It's techincally NOT Theft as defined by the Theft Act. A broadband signal is not property in any tangible sense and therefore cannot be stolen. You could also argue an 'implied consent' in that if the person has left their broadband open they are happy for people to 'piggy back' it.

YANBU. My iphone automatically hooks up to unsecured networks all over the place. I frequently find I am hooked up to a private unsecure network when Im out and about.

Lotkinsgonecurly · 15/02/2010 18:07

I think its the equivalent of buying a dress from the shop, wearing it (without taking the labels off) and then returning it as not your colour size etc.

Think is probably ok, but if you did happen to find out who they are it would be worth asking them and would only do it for a short period of time.

Original poster

macdoodle · 16/02/2010 08:00

wow lots of answers

As you can see I am not online a lot, am visiting family for a few days only, so it certainly isnt a permanent thing.We are mostly out and about, or being social so we are talking about a quick hour browse AT MOST!

It is high density roads of terraced houses, my laptop has picked up literally dozens of boradbands all secure except one, there is absolutely no way I could no who it was to ask or let them know they are not secure!

I am def not streaming or downloading, checked emails, mumsnet and FB, thats it, oh and DD1 had a 15min play on Club Penguin !

I know its not entirely above board, and feel slightly uncomfortable, and wouldnt do it permananently or anything that might cost a bit!

OP posts:

ooojimaflip · 16/02/2010 08:14

It's not legally theft btw - you are not permenantly depriving the person of something - it does violate the Computer Misuse act though.

Eve4Walle · 16/02/2010 08:27

It's not great if you get caught. The police can get involved.

Theft

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