Open wireless connections

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Phoenix86

Originally posted by: spidey07
I see it as a perfect comparison. thing is I work in wireless networking/telecomm so using somebody's service without their permission is wrong and quite possibly illegal.

Tapping into your neighbors phone line is exactly the same as using their wireless with the exception of "all you can eat" services. Hence why I limited it to local/no charge calls.

And if you want to setup a wireless hotspot to freely provide acces then you arrage a web page that notifies them that it is a free publically available service.

the neighbor's network is a PRIVATE network, not a public one.

Not everyone who can setup wifi (actually it's the lack of setup, which is even easier) can setup/host a web page. Remember, lots of consumers are doing this, not just businesses.

Private/public. That's a tricky position, they are broadcasting the signal which is open...

If I broadcast sound from speakers in my house (say outside), and your listening from your house, is that theft?

Theft of service, show me the loss. You can't have theft w/o losses (IE $$$). I don't think the "I lost bandwidth" argument that'd fly very far in court, or with a jury. You pay a flat fee, not $/MB.

Has anyone ever been arrested for accessing an open wifi?

EDIT: Oh, and to even see that web page about authorization for free ones. You'd have to access the wifi first...

Oh well. I guess you just don't see it. You can't just use somebody else's property/service whatever without permission. Its pretty disturbing to think that some people think this is OK.

And on hotspots, they are put in with the express purpose of providing public service with accompanying terms of use. It is still a private network, but with public access.

 

[Indolent]

Originally posted by: spidey07
I see it as a perfect comparison. thing is I work in wireless networking/telecomm so using somebody's service without their permission is wrong and quite possibly illegal.

Tapping into your neighbors phone line is exactly the same as using their wireless with the exception of "all you can eat" services. Hence why I limited it to local/no charge calls.

And if you want to setup a wireless hotspot to freely provide acces then you arrage a web page that notifies them that it is a free publically available service.

the neighbor's network is a PRIVATE network, not a public one.

I'm not justifying stealing anyone's bandwidth, but... if someone leaves their network wide open and broadcasts it over their whole neighborhood, I would hardly consider it "private."

 

[Indolent]

Originally posted by: ghostman
On a similar note, would it be illegal if I set up an open wifi network, wait for people to connect, then probe their system/sniff the traffic/etc.?

Interesting idea. That sounds like fun.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Indolent

Originally posted by: spidey07
I see it as a perfect comparison. thing is I work in wireless networking/telecomm so using somebody's service without their permission is wrong and quite possibly illegal.

Tapping into your neighbors phone line is exactly the same as using their wireless with the exception of "all you can eat" services. Hence why I limited it to local/no charge calls.

And if you want to setup a wireless hotspot to freely provide acces then you arrage a web page that notifies them that it is a free publically available service.

the neighbor's network is a PRIVATE network, not a public one.

I'm not justifying stealing anyone's bandwidth, but... if someone leaves their network wide open and broadcasts it over their whole neighborhood, I would hardly consider it "private."

They own the equipment that is providing that communication service. It is classified as a private network.

they broadcast their driveway all over the street but that still doesn't mean you should park there.

 

[Indolent]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: Indolent

Originally posted by: spidey07
I see it as a perfect comparison. thing is I work in wireless networking/telecomm so using somebody's service without their permission is wrong and quite possibly illegal.

Tapping into your neighbors phone line is exactly the same as using their wireless with the exception of "all you can eat" services. Hence why I limited it to local/no charge calls.

And if you want to setup a wireless hotspot to freely provide acces then you arrage a web page that notifies them that it is a free publically available service.

the neighbor's network is a PRIVATE network, not a public one.

I'm not justifying stealing anyone's bandwidth, but... if someone leaves their network wide open and broadcasts it over their whole neighborhood, I would hardly consider it "private."

They own the equipment that is providing that communication service. It is classified as a private network.

they broadcast their driveway all over the street but that still doesn't mean you should park there.

private property=illegal

public airwaves=???


not starting an argument or anything, just countering your points.

 

[JoLLyRoGer]

OK, let me stand corrected. The act of wardriving is not illegal, but connecting to and using a.k.a. breaking into a network without the owner's permissions is.

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: Phoenix86

Originally posted by: spidey07
I see it as a perfect comparison. thing is I work in wireless networking/telecomm so using somebody's service without their permission is wrong and quite possibly illegal.

Tapping into your neighbors phone line is exactly the same as using their wireless with the exception of "all you can eat" services. Hence why I limited it to local/no charge calls.

And if you want to setup a wireless hotspot to freely provide acces then you arrage a web page that notifies them that it is a free publically available service.

the neighbor's network is a PRIVATE network, not a public one.

Not everyone who can setup wifi (actually it's the lack of setup, which is even easier) can setup/host a web page. Remember, lots of consumers are doing this, not just businesses.

Private/public. That's a tricky position, they are broadcasting the signal which is open...

If I broadcast sound from speakers in my house (say outside), and your listening from your house, is that theft?

Theft of service, show me the loss. You can't have theft w/o losses (IE $$$). I don't think the "I lost bandwidth" argument that'd fly very far in court, or with a jury. You pay a flat fee, not $/MB.

Has anyone ever been arrested for accessing an open wifi?

EDIT: Oh, and to even see that web page about authorization for free ones. You'd have to access the wifi first...

Oh well. I guess you just don't see it. You can't just use somebody else's property/service whatever without permission. Its pretty disturbing to think that some people think this is OK.

And on hotspots, they are put in with the express purpose of providing public service with accompanying terms of use. It is still a private network, but with public access.

While I respect your position, I simply don't agree. It's a matter of philosophy. :beer:

Thanks for the honest discussion. :beer: X2

BTW, I never access publice wifi. It's a matter of principal *in case* it's not intended. I realize the fact that all wifi routers are setup with public access...

 

[spidey07]

Well to make another example...

How about using your 2.4 Ghz phone to use your neighbors phone service? Is that OK as well?

 

[hevnsnt]

Originally posted by: Phoenix86

Originally posted by: JoLLyRoGer
In short, yes. It's called wardriving and it's against the law.

With your name you should know better. It's perfectly legal as long as you don't circumvent security. Some people share for a reason you know...

haha that is what I was going to say. Stupid n00b

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: spidey07
Well to make another example...

How about using your 2.4 Ghz phone to use your neighbors phone service? Is that OK as well?

Only 1 person can use a phone line at a time, really it's a bad comaprison.

Also, you didn't answer my question earlier. If I broadcast sound from speakers in my house (say outside), and your listening from your house, is that theft?