• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Is this illegal?

I

InlineFour

Banned
Before I begin, I'm far from a hax0r, so no flames please. 🙂

I noticed that my University offered Office 2003 Professional for free to download for current students. Since I'm not currently living on campus, I use the provided Cisco VPN client to connect to the campus' network. While I waited for the download to finish, I scanned an IP range for alive hosts and aslo scanned for port 445 (Windows file and sharing). The scan completed and I found a couple computers who have file and sharing enabled. :evil: Obviously I can browse on people's PC now. Is this illegal?
 
Depends. From my criminal justice class, I know it technically would be in Washington state (unless you got the systems' owners' permission beforehand).
 
even if not illegal, it's probably against some school rules which could get you into quite a bit of trouble
 
Originally posted by: InlineFour
Before I begin, I'm far from a hax0r, so no flames please. 🙂

I noticed that my University offered Office 2003 Professional for free to download for current students. Since I'm not currently living on campus, I use the provided Cisco VPN client to connect to the campus' network. While I waited for the download to finish, I scanned an IP range for alive hosts and aslo scanned for port 445 (Windows file and sharing). The scan completed and I found a couple computers who have file and sharing enabled. :evil: Obviously I can browse on people's PC now. Is this illegal?
Click to expand...

The portscan shouldn't be illegal. Suspicious, perhaps. But probably not illegal.
Browsing other computers would be trespassing. If I leave my front door unlocked, it's still illegal for someone to enter it without permission from the owners.
 
Illegal technically no, but they may remove your access for snooping as it makes you look suspicious.
 
Originally posted by: Jeff7
Originally posted by: InlineFour
Before I begin, I'm far from a hax0r, so no flames please. 🙂

I noticed that my University offered Office 2003 Professional for free to download for current students. Since I'm not currently living on campus, I use the provided Cisco VPN client to connect to the campus' network. While I waited for the download to finish, I scanned an IP range for alive hosts and aslo scanned for port 445 (Windows file and sharing). The scan completed and I found a couple computers who have file and sharing enabled. :evil: Obviously I can browse on people's PC now. Is this illegal?
Click to expand...

The portscan shouldn't be illegal. Suspicious, perhaps. But probably not illegal.
Browsing other computers would be trespassing. If I leave my front door unlocked, it's still illegal for someone to enter it without permission from the owners.
Click to expand...

File and Printer Sharing is Enabled.
 
These people have files shared on the network? Why would it be illegal to browse files that are shared on the network? The whole point of sharing files on the network is so other people can get to them.
 
Originally posted by: mugs
These people have files shared on the network? Why would it be illegal to browse files that are shared on the network? The whole point of sharing files on the network is so other people can get to them.
Click to expand...

Mugs,

I guess we're the only ones that like to read the entire OP anymore. 🙁
 
Originally posted by: michaels
How do you go about scanning and doing this anyway?
Click to expand...

Software, you just point it at an IP address.

I did have one ages ago but can't remember the name of the program. Its just an info program.
 
Originally posted by: BigJ
Originally posted by: mugs
These people have files shared on the network? Why would it be illegal to browse files that are shared on the network? The whole point of sharing files on the network is so other people can get to them.
Click to expand...

Mugs,

I guess we're the only ones that like to read the entire OP anymore. 🙁
Click to expand...

Unless we're just clueless about h4x0ring and maybe the fact that they have sharing enabled somehow gives him access to unshared files. 😕 I dunno.
 
Originally posted by: mugs
These people have files shared on the network? Why would it be illegal to browse files that are shared on the network? The whole point of sharing files on the network is so other people can get to them.
Click to expand...

That's true, but I'm pretty sure the owners had no intentions to share their documents.

Having file and print sharing is basically saying, "hey, come look at the files I have".
 
Originally posted by: mugs
Originally posted by: BigJ
Originally posted by: mugs
These people have files shared on the network? Why would it be illegal to browse files that are shared on the network? The whole point of sharing files on the network is so other people can get to them.
Click to expand...

Mugs,

I guess we're the only ones that like to read the entire OP anymore. 🙁
Click to expand...

Unless we're just clueless about h4x0ring and maybe the fact that they have sharing enabled somehow gives him access to unshared files. 😕 I dunno.
Click to expand...

I'm h4x0ring right now.

Start > My Computer > My Network Places > View Workgroup Computers > ...

25 computers have Sharing Enabled! I must be a God. Or I must be on a campus network.
 
Originally posted by: michaels
How do you go about scanning and doing this anyway?
Click to expand...

With Angry IP. It's quite actually. Just pick a range to scan (x.x.x.1-254 is usually the quickest.) Then pick a port to scan (445) and press scan. 🙂
 
Originally posted by: InlineFour
Originally posted by: mugs
These people have files shared on the network? Why would it be illegal to browse files that are shared on the network? The whole point of sharing files on the network is so other people can get to them.
Click to expand...

That's true, but I'm pretty sure the owners had no intentions to share their documents.

Having file and print sharing is basically saying, "hey, come look at the files I have".
Click to expand...

I guess some naive people (women) might share their personal documents so they can access them/print them in computer labs or whatever... but back when I was in school in the "old days" of 1999-2003, file sharing was mostly used for sharing MP3s and videos... it was like a prehistoric YouTube. And instead of scanning for open ports, you'd just browse the Students domain in My Network Places.

Anyway, what you're doing is not illegal.
 
Originally posted by: InlineFour
Originally posted by: michaels
How do you go about scanning and doing this anyway?
Click to expand...

With Angry IP. It's quite actually. Just pick a range to scan (x.x.x.1-254 is usually the quickest.) Then pick a port to scan (445) and press scan. 🙂
Click to expand...

And that will work on any network, even wireless?
 
Originally posted by: michaels
Originally posted by: InlineFour
Originally posted by: michaels
How do you go about scanning and doing this anyway?
Click to expand...

With Angry IP. It's quite actually. Just pick a range to scan (x.x.x.1-254 is usually the quickest.) Then pick a port to scan (445) and press scan. 🙂
Click to expand...

And that will work on any network, even wireless?
Click to expand...

Sure.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top