CNN Article on 'stealing' wireless bandwidth...

[LongCoolMother]

i agree that it is stealing. regardless of if its secure or not. if you dont have permission to use it, if you didnt pay for it, then you are not entitled to use it.

i like the analogy of the car running. if someone parks in your driveway with the keys in and motor running, you are not entitled to take the car.

 

[ChaoZ]

Originally posted by: LongCoolMother
i agree that it is stealing. regardless of if its secure or not. if you dont have permission to use it, if you didnt pay for it, then you are not entitled to use it.

i like the analogy of the car running. if someone parks in your driveway with the keys in and motor running, you are not entitled to take the car.

But it's on your property. You can call someone to tow it away so technically you can take the car.

 

[vshah]

Originally posted by: alphatarget1
It's not stealing, anyone can put a 60bit WEP encryption on their router. (not that it does any good, but better than nothing) By having an open network they're essentially giving people consent to use their network.

Now if you go out to crack all those weak 60bit 2wire networks then it's a little different :evil:.

if i leave my car unlocked its ok for someone to drive it?

 

[angryswede]

I talked to a guy at work about this the other day. He said you aren't stealing the signal since its invading your home. I didn't agree but I did laugh.

 

[DaWhim]

i am using my neighbor's bandwidth atm. 2 open ap at my house

yay for ool newsgroups. got axx to verizon newsgroups by switching the ap.

 

[Skunkwourk]

Originally posted by: vshah

Originally posted by: alphatarget1
It's not stealing, anyone can put a 60bit WEP encryption on their router. (not that it does any good, but better than nothing) By having an open network they're essentially giving people consent to use their network.

Now if you go out to crack all those weak 60bit 2wire networks then it's a little different :evil:.

if i leave my car unlocked its ok for someone to drive it?

 

[clickynext]

I don't use wireless because it causes cancer, har har.

 

[HumblePie]

Originally posted by: angryswede
I talked to a guy at work about this the other day. He said you aren't stealing the signal since its invading your home. I didn't agree but I did laugh.

For those going in on the "invading" waves of information route. If it "invades" then it's yours? LOL. The only analogy I can come up with for this are these.

Your neighbor goes out and buys a brand new CD of the hottest group out there. One you particularly love but can't afford. However, that neighbor has an AWSOME sound system, one that can be cranked up and still sound perfectly golden in your house. You get the bright idea to "record" the song invading your home. Legit? Wrong and if the RIAA found out you'd be in court in a heartbeat for illegaly recording stuff.

How about this. Satellite TV, or XM radio. Both are broadcast around the world and THOSE signals invade your home. BUT to use those signals you normally have to BUY a special electronic peice of equipment from the company and pay a subscription fee. You COULD, if you knew how, go build something that could pick those signals up for your own use without having you pay for the service. Is that legal? NO.

So what difference is there between your neighbors wifi and satellite TV? Both invade your homes. Both can be used without paying for them by you IF you have the equipment to utilize the signals. Does that still make it right? It's wierd how people are willing to answer yes in this instance to the neighbor but no to a big corporation. Why? consequences. If satellite TV found out you were hijacking their signal then you could be in a for a world of hurt if they wanted to pin the screws on your hide. Chances are, if the neighbor finds out, then nothing happens except they might lock down their wifi.

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: Spike

Originally posted by: Mwilding
It is stealing. If I leave a hose running in my front yard and you trespass and take a drink, you are stealing my water. I might not care that you are doing it, but that doesn't change the fact of the matter...

But it's in your house. If you had that same hose running on the neighbors lawn then he should be able to take a drink as you are impossing on HIS space.

-spike

fact is you are using it for free, and they are footing the bill.
it's not totally right.

 

[zendari]

Originally posted by: episodic

Originally posted by: zendari

Originally posted by: episodic
There are lots of people that intentionally leave their connection unsecured so others CAN use it. . . So if you use an unsecured connection, how do you know that the original person did not have the intent for it to be available for use? I'm sorry, but the person with the access point should secure it if it is not public.

Um, ask?

If you are in a building with 100 other familes, whom should you ask?

The AP you connect to will sometimes have some indication of the owner of the point. If not, ask around until you get a yes, then ask them what their AP is so you can connect to it.