Is it illeagal to use someone elses wireless?

Jiffyman · 05-17-2006, 04:03 AM

I have a question. Around my area there are a bunch of wireless networks including mine, and I was wondering since I don't get a very good signal when I'm outside if it's legal to connect to someone elses network.
Any input on this would be very appreciated.

**magicman** · 05-17-2006, 04:12 AM

That is very much a grey area at the moment. Whilst it's unlawful to be using someone else's internet without permission, what constitutes 'without permission' isn't very well defined at the moment. Eg. Some people would say that the neighbour is giving you permission simply because they haven't encrypted the network.

This article gives some more info, basically there have been reports of people being arrested for accessing someone else's network, so if I were you I'd not do it.

Cile · 05-17-2006, 04:27 AM

i read somewhere that it was proved that it technically isnt stealing, and you cant get in trouble for it, but that may be wrong. im not sure. you could just politely ask your neighbors if they would allow you to use it.

mrjack · 05-17-2006, 03:12 PM

Firstly you would have to have permission from whoever is the owner of the Wi-Fi network and from the ISP, that's usually how it is in most cases.

Pck21 · 05-17-2006, 07:57 PM

I don't know guys I've heard from people aound me that are in the law enforcement field that it is a crime if you do not ask for permission. The people can call the cops if they find that you're "stealing" internet. It's just like cable theft.

Jiffyman · 05-17-2006, 08:15 PM

What if the device automatically connects to networks around it?

computerhakk · 05-17-2006, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiffyman

What if the device automatically connects to networks around it?

Then disable it.

The terms around it being illegal or not, like said isn't really clear. However, if someone finds that you are using their connection without permission, they can get you in trouble for that.

It's like any other thing. Would you just take something from someone without them knowing. That's considered stealing.

Stealing = you know what.

Christian Darrall · 05-17-2006, 10:32 PM

well personally i told everybody who asked me that its illegal, simply because its not really fair on the person paying the bill

Apokarteron · 05-18-2006, 12:16 AM

random question: Can wireless network reach 200-300 meters?

Cile · 05-18-2006, 12:30 AM

can someone even detect it if you are using their network?

05-17-2006, 04:03 AM	#1 (permalink)
Jiffyman Platinum Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: USA Age: 17 Posts: 678	Is it illeagal to use someone elses wireless? I have a question. Around my area there are a bunch of wireless networks including mine, and I was wondering since I don't get a very good signal when I'm outside if it's legal to connect to someone elses network. Any input on this would be very appreciated. __________________ Mother board: Gigabyte S-series GA-MA69GM-S2H Additional Specs Down There: http://www.gigabyte.co.nz/Products/M...ProductID=2579 Processor: AMD A64 X2 4200+ Dual-Core RAM: 2gig DDR2 800mhz

05-17-2006, 04:12 AM	#2 (permalink)
magicman Moderator - F@H Guru Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Surrey, UK Posts: 3,063	That is very much a grey area at the moment. Whilst it's unlawful to be using someone else's internet without permission, what constitutes 'without permission' isn't very well defined at the moment. Eg. Some people would say that the neighbour is giving you permission simply because they haven't encrypted the network. This article gives some more info, basically there have been reports of people being arrested for accessing someone else's network, so if I were you I'd not do it. __________________ FOLDING FOR THE GOOD OF MANKIND :F@H Team 44358

05-17-2006, 04:27 AM	#3 (permalink)
Cile Silver Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 111	i read somewhere that it was proved that it technically isnt stealing, and you cant get in trouble for it, but that may be wrong. im not sure. you could just politely ask your neighbors if they would allow you to use it. __________________ hp pavillion 533w celeron 2ghz 512mb ram ati radeon 9520 256mb pci

05-17-2006, 03:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
mrjack VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Finland Age: 17 Posts: 2,348	Firstly you would have to have permission from whoever is the owner of the Wi-Fi network and from the ISP, that's usually how it is in most cases. __________________ Main rig: Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 @ 3GHz \| MSI P7N Zilent 2x2048Mb OCZ Titanium 800MHz DDR2 Samsung Spinpoint T166 320Gb SATAII Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250Gb SATAII Western Digital Caviar 500Gb SATAII MSI NX8800GT OC 512Mb @ 660MHz/950MHz Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio \| Antec Truepower Trio 550W

05-17-2006, 07:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
Pck21 Platinum Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 631	I don't know guys I've heard from people aound me that are in the law enforcement field that it is a crime if you do not ask for permission. The people can call the cops if they find that you're "stealing" internet. It's just like cable theft. __________________ Current Build--------------------------Laptop Gigabyte GA-M57SLI-S4 Socket AM2-----------Apple Macbook Pro AMD Athlon64 X2 5000+ Black Edition Brisbane---------Intel Core 2 Duo ZALMAN CNPS 9500 heatsink Western Digital 320GB 7200 Sata and Maxtor 160GB 7200rpm SATA HDD's----------------120GB HDD OCZ SLI Edition 2GB PC6400 DDR2 Memory--------2 Gigs DDR2 667 EVGA 7600GT------Soon to be EVGA 8800GTS------ATI X1600 Pro 512mb 19'' LCD 8ms Viewsonic monitor-------Laptop Monitor?

05-17-2006, 08:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
Jiffyman Platinum Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: USA Age: 17 Posts: 678	What if the device automatically connects to networks around it? __________________ Mother board: Gigabyte S-series GA-MA69GM-S2H Additional Specs Down There: http://www.gigabyte.co.nz/Products/M...ProductID=2579 Processor: AMD A64 X2 4200+ Dual-Core RAM: 2gig DDR2 800mhz

05-17-2006, 10:32 PM	#8 (permalink)
Christian Darrall Platinum Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Age: 17 Posts: 899	well personally i told everybody who asked me that its illegal, simply because its not really fair on the person paying the bill __________________ 1.5TB 3.0GBS Panasonic SATA XFX 9600gt Dual core X3 (super SLi) Intel Quad Core Oc'd 6.7ghZ 1000w power supply 3GB ddr 3 1200MHZ Antec Water Cooling XP Professional 19.1 inch Widescreen

05-18-2006, 12:16 AM	#9 (permalink)
Apokarteron banned Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: OS X Age: 18 Posts: 1,920	random question: Can wireless network reach 200-300 meters?

05-18-2006, 12:30 AM	#10 (permalink)
Cile Silver Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 111	can someone even detect it if you are using their network? __________________ hp pavillion 533w celeron 2ghz 512mb ram ati radeon 9520 256mb pci

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