Neighbor has open wireless network

[Night201]

I'm going back to a house to do some computer work. They have a weak wireless signal in their house so I'm installing an expander. While I was there, I noticed an open wireless signal from a neighbor. Can I connect to their system and maybe send a message to their computer or printer if it's shared telling them to call me so that I can go over and offer to secure their network?

I might just take my computer and follow the signal and see which house it is, but if I knock on their door and say that I see that there is no security on their router, can I get in trouble? I figured if I say I was next door and noticed this (which is true), then it would be ok...

Maybe I should notify the cops first that I would be going to a house to tell them?

Anyone ever do this before? How would you all recommend that I proceed?

 

[CRXican]

LOL at "notify the cops"

I'm sure they'll respond immediately

 

[Ausm]

Cops wouldn't give a shat about an open Network

Ausm

 

[OrByte]

umm whatever happened to walking up to your neighbors door and talking to them?

 

[Kalvin00]

Originally posted by: CRXican
LOL at "notify the cops"

I'm sure they'll respond immediately

Bwaha, yeah..I say just let it be. They'll find out it's open eventually.. or you could charge them $$ to secure it for them.

 

[everman]

Swat Team...of rabid nerds.

 

[CRXican]

Police motto:

"To Protect and Serve ..... your wireless internet connection"

 

[joecool]

Originally posted by: CRXican
Police motto:

"To Protect and Serve ..... your wireless internet connection"

LOL!

 

[aplefka]

What the hell are the cops gonna do? They won't give a sh1t.

You'd have to make sure that the device is set up for wireless network sharing before you could print anything, and even then sometimes errors happen. Just go and talk to them.

 

[csyberblue]

Originally posted by: Night201
I'm going back to a house to do some computer work. They have a weak wireless signal in their house so I'm installing an expander. While I was there, I noticed an open wireless signal from a neighbor. Can I connect to their system and maybe send a message to their computer or printer if it's shared telling them to call me so that I can go over and offer to secure their network?

I might just take my computer and follow the signal and see which house it is, but if I knock on their door and say that I see that there is no security on their router, can I get in trouble? I figured if I say I was next door and noticed this (which is true), then it would be ok...

Maybe I should notify the cops first that I would be going to a house to tell them?

Anyone ever do this before? How would you all recommend that I proceed?

you're being a really good samaritan by trying to help that family out. But since these aren't your actual neighbors, I say it may be akward for them when you offer to help them out. Maybe you should let it go.

 

[laurenlex]

1. Scare the neighbors by using their printer
2. ???
3. Profit!

 

[cjgallen]

OMG hax0r them and steal their pr0n!

 

[Nikamichi]

Originally posted by: laurenlex
1. Scare the neighbors by using their printer
2. ???
3. Profit!

:thumbsup:

 

[CRXican]

Originally posted by: laurenlex
1. Scare the neighbors by using their printer
2. ???
3. Profit!

print Goatse

 

[bigj3347]

just diable your current ISP and use theirs. . . .if they're not gonna secure it, save urself the money. If i had an unsecured network and u came knocking, i'd think ur some kind of hacker who wants to hack my computer, but thats just me. Maybe u work for MPAA and wanna get evidence of illiegal file sharing. ppl are innately paranoid.

 

[sharkeeper]

Why call the cops?

Download enough stuff and they will come anyways!

Cheers!

 

[lizardboy]

Originally posted by: CRXican

Originally posted by: laurenlex
1. Scare the neighbors by using their printer
2. ???
3. Profit!

print Goatse

ascii goatse (NSFW)
http://www.goatse.org/mirror/contrib.html

 

[aplefka]

Originally posted by: bigj3347
just diable your current ISP and use theirs. . . .if they're not gonna secure it, save urself the money. If i had an unsecured network and u came knocking, i'd think ur some kind of hacker who wants to hack my computer, but thats just me. Maybe u work for MPAA and wanna get evidence of illiegal file sharing. ppl are innately paranoid.

They're born with paranoia?

 

[SuperTool]

Why would you notify him? What if your connection goes down and you need to use his?

 

[Malak]

Originally posted by: Nikamichi

Originally posted by: laurenlex
1. Scare the neighbors by using their printer
2. ???
3. Profit!

:thumbsup:

WIN

 

[Specop 007]

Make it easy.
VoIP call the police then scream "I'M ON FIRE" give the address and hang up.
You just killed 2 birds with one stone.

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: SuperTool
Why would you notify him? What if your connection goes down and you need to use his?

I don't know, maybe use the security setting *he* sets up?

 

[Perknose]

"Open up, it's the network police!"

Pulls out taser as door opens.

"OK, who's the admin here?"

 

[jammur21]

Let the RIAA will send them a letter for you.

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: laurenlex
1. Scare the neighbors by using their printer
2. ???
3. Profit!

back in the old days of cable modems, you could see everyone on your node in "My Network Places." i found some guy that had his whole computer wide open. judging by his files, he was a preacher. so i printed out "(name), this is god. i am watching you."