Have you ever used a neighbours broadband connection without asking them??????

[RTKangaMummy]

Cos I am at the moment

It is weak but it is working

Ooh, this is all very interesting. So, can anyone tell me, how easy would it be for someone to tell that you are using their wireless connection, and if you were found out, what's the worst that would happen, punishment wise?

anyone that has the ability to find out and would care about it would have locked their connection down.

it would be difficult to be able to prove who YOU were unless you were doing it repeatedly

apparently running it openly is considered to be "inviting" people to use it.. dp thinks that there was a case recently in the US that gave this verdict.

Don't forget that for a long time the only way to prosecute someoen for "hacking" was through theft of electricity!

The one I usually use if mine is down belongs to Caffe Nero up the road. They advertise it as being available.

Seriously if you have wireless broadband and don't realise you should secure it then you haven't bothered to read the instructions and deserve what you get

Yes in my old house when my broadband went down for a bit. I agree if people are stupid enough not to secure it..

So is it actually illegal then, or not? Could you get in trouble for using someone elses connection without their consent?

Most of the street has free access to wifi, we have no idea who are the neighbours paying for it. We have a regular broadband in my computer but DH can work in the kitchen or the garden if I'm using it.

Bump

Illegal - yes/no?

I am not a lawyer.

However, as I understand it there are laws covering if someone hacked in and/or downloaded illegal material via your system (whether they got in because you left the connection open or no). There are laws covering any damage (for example if then someone took advantage and started messing with the computer files if the rest of the PC system hadn't been locked down correctly). There is not a specific law against using an open wireless connection.

I also think that if you're leaving it open deliberately you have to check that you're not violating your ISPs terms and conditions (again, this is the host's responsibility - isn't illegal per se, just could be violating the agreement you have with your isp as technically reselling the service).

As I say, that's just as I understand it, I'm not a lawyer, I could be wrong.

Basically it's a new technology which isn't explicitly covered as far as I am aware.

(Computer Misuse Act covers the hacking/damage/illegal download side of things as far as I am aware...)

\link{http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4721723.stm\But then again...}

BUT it is being transmitted into my house I am not out looking for it

And there again my computer could be hacked into by them couldn't it?????

Only if you were connected to them at the time RTKangaMummy. It's why you should always have a good firewall (as you should any time you connect to the internet regardless of which way).

SaintGeorge: I notice in that article that it still says the host is ultimately responsible for any illegal activity. Also, the guy was sat outside their house night after night freaking the owners out... I think they basically called the police on him and then only afterwards found out what he was doing (so presumably pressed charges on anything they could get him on). I have to confess, I'd be pretty freaked out if there was someone sitting in a car outside my house every night too...

It is just the WINDOWS XP one

Would that have been strong enough?????????

I'd have thought so.

Windows XP's firewall is okay - not so great if you get infected with spyware. I wouldn't worry about your wifi connection the other night, but if that's your only firewall connection to the internet normally, then I'd consider getting a better firewall.

As we're on broadband, our router contains a firewall as well - so we're doubly protected. I also have a separate virus scanner and spyware monitor as well.

\link{http://www.andyrathbone.com/tips/twoway.html\Is Windows XP's firewall good enough?} - quite a good explanation about what it does.

How they caught him isn't the issue though - the prosecution was based on the illegal use of the wifi.

thank youfor the responces . Erm, I think that's clearer (ish) !!!

If you get on with your neighbour you could offer to pay half and share

Yes - if you don't secure it expect people to piggyback on it - at least I'm not hacking your machine....

why do you secure your own networks but think it's okay to use someone else's unsecured network?

why not leave yours unsecured as a goodwill gesture?

is it okay to take something from someone's handbag if they leave it unattended?

I secure my network not to stop other people using it, but to stop other people hacking it! Same as I don't leave me keys or purse in plain view...

what the hell are you all on about?

I don't give a sod about people being too stupid to secure their networks or whatever, it' still F**King stealing anyway you look at it, if I left you left you purse unsecure or you credit card and someone used that how would you feel, I suppose you would have deserved it.

sorry should have read if I had left or you had left a purse or credit card

sorry should have read if I had left or you had left a purse or credit card

In a nice world neighbours would club together and agree to share a wireless network.