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View Full Version : Lagality of using unprotected wirelsss networks


Seeker
08-04-08, 06:01 PM
This is not an argument, but a discussion.

A while back I asked a question concerning use of unprotected wireless
networks from my desk at home. I was told it was illegal.

I did not question it, until this weekend, when I became acutely aware
that all over my city, in parks and playgrounds, along many streets,
simply everywhere, there are people using laptops, connected via
wireless. So I asked a random sample of 8 or 9 people how they were
connected. All said they found unprotected networks everywhere in the
city. I asked if they knew about the "illegality" of such use. They
all said they were aware, but asked, as I do now, how would it be
possible for people to do business while away from home or office, if
such connections were unavailable?

I think most individual net based businesses would simply collapse.

The network I am using is available 24/7, with a far stronger signal
than almost all the protected ones, and I have to believe that the
person or entity which is the source of it is unconcerned about
sharing their connection.

I hope that the same MVP that responded will see this and respond. And
of course any other feedback or discussion would be appreciated.

Thanks

Lem
08-04-08, 06:19 PM
Seeker wrote:
> This is not an argument, but a discussion.
>
> A while back I asked a question concerning use of unprotected wireless
> networks from my desk at home. I was told it was illegal.
>
> I did not question it, until this weekend, when I became acutely aware
> that all over my city, in parks and playgrounds, along many streets,
> simply everywhere, there are people using laptops, connected via
> wireless. So I asked a random sample of 8 or 9 people how they were
> connected. All said they found unprotected networks everywhere in the
> city. I asked if they knew about the "illegality" of such use. They
> all said they were aware, but asked, as I do now, how would it be
> possible for people to do business while away from home or office, if
> such connections were unavailable?
>
> I think most individual net based businesses would simply collapse.
>
> The network I am using is available 24/7, with a far stronger signal
> than almost all the protected ones, and I have to believe that the
> person or entity which is the source of it is unconcerned about
> sharing their connection.
>
> I hope that the same MVP that responded will see this and respond. And
> of course any other feedback or discussion would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks
>
>
>

Not only is this off topic in this newsgroup, but it is foolish to seek
legal advice from anyone who is not a lawyer who you are paying for such
advice.

That said, there are numerous state and federal laws (in the US) as well
as laws in other countries that make "unauthorized access" to a network
illegal. See, for example,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legality_of_piggybacking

Computer Hacking and Unauthorized Access Laws
http://www.ncsl.org/programs/lis/cip/hacklaw.htm

What, you may say, is "unauthorized access" to an unencrypted wireless
network? I don't know. Do you want to find out in court?

--
Lem -- MS-MVP

To the moon and back with 2K words of RAM and 36K words of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer
http://history.nasa.gov/afj/compessay.htm