OK Computer question

[coltsguy]

Figured that this would be as good as place as any to get an answer to this question, I just picked up a laptop cpu today and upon getting it home and setting it up (i use dial up at home) A prompt came up and told me to open the wireless tab up and that i was getting a wireless signal??? I dont have wireless at my house and dont live close to any businesses that would have it, I am on the wireless connection and am guessing that it is bleeding out from one of my neighbors?? Qustion is it legal?? Is it ok to use this signal to go online?? I am pretty much computer illiterate when it comes to wi-fy and all that good stuff...Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[cgjones]

In my opinion, you shouldn't use someone's wireless without having permission. If you know your neighbors well enough, you might want to ask them about it. They might not even care, and it would most likely be faster then dial-up, depending on how strong of a signal you are getting.

[vampyrewolf]

As I understand it, simply using the wireless signal is perfectly legal.... it's when you crack past thier firewall and get into thier system that you get into trouble. And most wireless systems have very poor security.

It's not such a problem now a days with cable & wireless, since we pay for the speed, not the connection time, and it's hard to secure a wireless broadcast(though it is possible).

[coltsguy]

Ok Guy's thanks, The neighbors i think it may be are fairly new to the hood but maybe i will go over and talk to him today...He is a cpu tech or something.

[VWTattoo]

I wouldn't count on him being "Cool" with you horking some of his bandwidth, but if in your Wi-Fi Connection windows, you see it is a Secured network, without a WEP/ WPA Key or MAC allow rule in his Access Point, you aren't going anywhere with it without him letting you in. The signal is just being picked up, but you aren't yet connected.

You can ask, but again, not to sound mean, I would expect him to say no way, Jose. Unless you can bribe him with a Spyderco... or share some beers... :D

[greencobra]

As I understand it, simply using the wireless signal is perfectly legal....

More a matter of ethics really. The air waves are free regarding the internet as far as I know in the US. I wouldn't say squat, you can't help what filters into your home.

[Senate]

I don't know the exact law but I'm pretty sure it's illegal...

it's not because your neighbors door is open or he doesn't a fence around his yard that you can enter his property...

[Vincent]

In America usiing sombody elses bandwith is the same as stealing gas from somebodys car.

if its a wireless connection that is said o be free, and it will usually say it as its ssid, if its just default or linksys then its illegal.

It comes down to the same principle as mentioned above. if you see a car on the street and the keys are in it and the door left open, is it yours to take. The answer is no, and the same rules apply.

Now back to trhe more technical side, if you want to use this persons wireless connection. The person has not secured his wireless connection just like the majority of people dont. Since he has not done this, then he is also computer illiterate and the chances of you getting caught are slim to none.

also be careful on another note because it could be a honeypot and this does happen alot.

[coltsguy]

[quote="Senate"]I don't know the exact law but I'm pretty sure it's illegal...

it's not because your neighbors door is open or he doesn't a fence around his yard that you can enter his property... ]


Just wondering how it could be illegal if i am not going out of my way to get these services, If i am just sitting in my livingroom and make no attempt to defraud anyone could it be considered illegal?? Or better yet should i charge whoever it belongs to storage of there Wi-Fi waves :D :D :D

[spydie fanatic]

As of right now, I do not know of any Federal FCC regulations (there could be state statutes or city Ords in effect in your area) that prohibit the use of a non-secured wi-fy connection. Breaking into a secured connection and using it is a different story. Basically, it's like a radio tranmission...open airwaves...fairgame for anyone to listen to...secured signal...stay away or get charged w/ wire-tapping (if you get caught and they can prove it)

Like other forumites said, its all about your ethnics and morals

P.S. I am not a legal expert and am not claiming to be. This is how I think it is. Take what I say with little or no reassurance.

[greencobra]

Really, the only way you're going to get a signal from your neighbor is if they're using a wireless router and even then you'd have to have the routers software installed. I still believe there are no laws covering this situation in the US. If they have highly sensitive stuff leaking into your house, that's their problem, not yours.

[spydie fanatic]

look for the netstumbler program on the internet, that way you can go mobile and pick up on all the un-secured connection in the area :) :) :)

P.S. also works at your local micky d's if your grabbin' a bite to eat :) :) :)

[greencobra]

And one more thing please, let me relate something...2 years ago I wanted to cancel an unused AOL account. AOL gave me a hard time and quoted a statement from a FCC bulletin to back up their position. I called the state AG's office who refered me to the FCC in Washington. Their response at the time when I explained what AOL said to me was "the FCC has no regulations governing the Internet at this time. Ask for the number of this FCC bulletin and tell them we requested you call us back with it and see what transpires." Long story short, AOL backed off.

[spydie fanatic]

...is AOL run by dirty, red commies?

[Senate]

a good article:
http://www.sptimes.com/2005/07/04/State ... w_br.shtml

even if you're just browsing the web, doing nothing illegal and with the consentment or not of your neighbour, you're still cheating the Internet Provider because you're using the line of another home. :p

[chinook]

Really gray areas here... I am currently wifi'ng my neighbor and sharing cablemodem bandwidth. She is a casual email/ecard/ebayer. If she were as heavy a D/Ler as I then I'd boot her in a second (slow enough getting the TC of Superman Returns)

My provider probably would not approve, although I have read of some actually helpng people share a connection by providing split billing to 4 or 5 users on one account in an apartment building or neighborhood.

I also read of cases pending in court of wardrivers being prosecuted for theft of service, no results yet. My daughter in southern California called the cops when she saw the same guy in his dark car typing away on his laptop two nights running in her neighborhood. The cops did respond and ran him off.

I would think that the service provider would be the injured party in most cases butt then if someone parked outside your house and downloaded and uploaded kiddy porn using your connection and you were busted as a result and had to retain a lawyer to clear it up, then you might take security measures a bit more seriously and look into WEP, WPA, MAC, and SSID more closely.

[Hannibal Lecter]

My Dear Friends,

You may lawfully attach to an unsecured network that is not your own, but you MAY NOT utilize the bandwidth (stupid, I know). As this is the field I work in, I have been asked this many times and have researched it pretty thoroughly.

My advice: don't do it. Yes, it is considered illegal. Vincent is spot-on.

--------
Hannibal

[chinook]

I'm sorry, "connect butt not use?"
I do not understand.

[VWTattoo]

To clarify- Connecting to someone's access point, meaning having a genuine Connection Established message on your WiFi Network LAN adapter when checking the Network connection is not illegal, since this happens if you are connecting to an unsecured network sometimes by default. If you then USE that LAN connection to connect to the Internet or resources on that LAN, that uses the bandwidth from the AP. Semantics, but there IS a difference.

Scott

[chinook]

Ok... then it's OK to connect to that private person's computer peripheral device butt illegal to access that device's resources or services? I still do not understand.

gray, gray, gray