Is it illeagal to use someone elses wireless?

Jiffyman

Jiffyman

New Member
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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 said:
What if the device automatically connects to networks around it?
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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.
 
Motoxrdude said:
Nope, but they can tell if you are using all there bandwidth:cool:
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Yes they can, they just log onto their router and they can see the IP's of any device thats on their network, wired or wireless.
 
hello....

look its not stealing and it is legal, the only way that it is illegal is if you use the connection in a fraudulant way. when ;eople buy wi fi networks the company instructs the user to rename and encode their connection. so i would say go ahead and use it and no you will not be seen
 
isaacual69 said:
look its not stealing and it is legal, the only way that it is illegal is if you use the connection in a fraudulant way. when ;eople buy wi fi networks the company instructs the user to rename and encode their connection. so i would say go ahead and use it and no you will not be seen
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Suggesting that accessing someone's WiFi network without their permission is legal is just plain wrong. Fraudulent use or not, the owner of the network must give permission before it becomes legal, and it is very easy to see what computers are connecting to it, and even easier to see when there's a drain on bandwidth, so I'm not sure how you can say you can't be seen.
 
isaacual69 said:
look its not stealing and it is legal, the only way that it is illegal is if you use the connection in a fraudulant way. when ;eople buy wi fi networks the company instructs the user to rename and encode their connection. so i would say go ahead and use it and no you will not be seen
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Thats like saying if a car's unlocked, its okay to take it.
 
random question: Can wireless network reach 200-300 meters?
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With the right equipment it sure can.

At the moment there is not statue for this, so we are replying on case law. Which is a tricky area of the law given that the situation are all different. And the last thing you want to be is a test case

and it is very easy to see what computers are connecting to it,
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Its not always that easy, escpecially if dchp is turned off. I run an encyrpted network, and use the occational mass ping to check my network. Normally i had no trouble however when using kismet i found 2 unknown mac address on my network. Obviously someone in my area knows what they are doing. I norrowed my ip range, and put up mac filtering... but to be honest if it where me netiher of these would be too hard to bypass so i bet this guy is the same. End result is a built a software switch to bring my network down when not needed. Now obvously that was a case of hacking, but it does show how people can leech on connection undetected.
 
I disagree, internet connection isnt physical, its already been paid for and how much is your 70 year old neighber gonna miss their bandwidth at 11 oclock at night? just an example... but im just saying it may be unethical but by no means should it be stealing... his probably using my social security to pay for it anywayz... god knows i wont be seeing it =p
 
magicman said:
Suggesting that accessing someone's WiFi network without their permission is legal is just plain wrong. Fraudulent use or not, the owner of the network must give permission before it becomes legal, and it is very easy to see what computers are connecting to it, and even easier to see when there's a drain on bandwidth, so I'm not sure how you can say you can't be seen.
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Alot of people never log in to or even look at their routers. They just plug them in

thats why there are alot of "Linksys" and "Default" SSIDS
 
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