Let's say that several of your neighbors have wireless networks and that these networks are insecure. Do you think it is unethical to connect and see what's on the network? How about if your network goes down and you want to determine if it is either you or your server. Is it okay to connect to your neighbors network merely to see if you can ping yahoo.com? I suppose it would depend a lot on the type of relationship you have with your neighbors. Any opinions?
Your Neighbor has an Insecure Wireless Network
- Thread starter halfpower
- Start date
It is the responsibility of anyone with a wireless network to secure their network. One can assume that if they leave the wireless network open that are willing to share with anyone in much the same manner as businesses and government provide wireless access in public places.
Their signal is coming into your home is it not?
Their signal is coming into your home is it not?
My opinion, if they don't want someone in, they should lock it down. If it's open, I consider an open invitation to use the network. Now if it is secure, then stay out of it, if you get in it, it's considered hacking.
- Oct 25, 1999
- 29,546
- 422
- 126
Hmmm.
So if my neighbors did not close the door to his Houses/Apartments.
It is OK to go in browse their drawers and closets and use his bathrooms?
Because Neurowares can see doors then the rules are different than when dealing with Electrical substances that can not been seen in the current state of Neurowares evolution?
I think Not!
:sun:
So if my neighbors did not close the door to his Houses/Apartments.
It is OK to go in browse their drawers and closets and use his bathrooms?
Because Neurowares can see doors then the rules are different than when dealing with Electrical substances that can not been seen in the current state of Neurowares evolution?
I think Not!
:sun:
Don't you think that is a bit of a reach, how about if a neighbor leaves his blinds open, and you can stand in your house and look out your window and see what they are doing. Again it is the responsibility of the person that wants privacy to close their blinds, it is not your responsibility to 'not look'
Not the same. If this was the case, he should be liable for infringing onto your property with his signal. A wireless signal is fair game in my opinion, especially considering that you could take moderate precautions to add a bit of security. However, as soon as the newtork is secure - it becomes highly unethical (and probably illegal) to snoop.
It would be like someone broadcasting a free TV network, and then complaining when people watch it. Not to mention, you don't own the skies, the Feds do.
I don't know whether or not my neighbors know anything about wireless security.
Some here think it's okay to use my neighbors network but I probably lean towards JackMDS's line of thinking. If my neighbor leaves their car out in front of his house and leaves it unlocked and running, I have an obligation not to take joy rides.
Surely I could not use so much of my neighbors network resources that it compromises their network performance and internet bandwidth.
EDIT: clarify that last sentence
Some here think it's okay to use my neighbors network but I probably lean towards JackMDS's line of thinking. If my neighbor leaves their car out in front of his house and leaves it unlocked and running, I have an obligation not to take joy rides.
Surely I could not use so much of my neighbors network resources that it compromises their network performance and internet bandwidth.
EDIT: clarify that last sentence
If I were you I would bring this to their attention and offer your network security services for a small fee. 
Fardringle
Diamond Member
- Oct 23, 2000
- 9,200
- 765
- 126
So if there is a security flaw open on my critical database server because the OS or software developer hasn't provided a fix (and therefore I don't know about it), it is therefore perfectly legal and acceptable for anyone that does know about the flaw to gain access to my system?
I think not.
The difference between an unsecured wireless network and a situation where the window blinds are left open is that the person is usually choosing (intentionally or accidentally) to leave their blinds open - unless they really are completely clueless - and therefore really can't get upset if a nosy neighbor happens to look through the window. Whereas the vast majority of home users have no idea what WEP is, even less know how to configure it properly. The simple fact that they do not know how to protect themselves does not give you the right to violate their property and/or privacy.
The proper thing to do would be to let them know that their wireless network is not secure, and if you are feeling nice (or want to charge them for it, or if the neighbor is really hot and you want to encourage them to leave their window blinds open) offer to help them set it up properly.
I think not.
The difference between an unsecured wireless network and a situation where the window blinds are left open is that the person is usually choosing (intentionally or accidentally) to leave their blinds open - unless they really are completely clueless - and therefore really can't get upset if a nosy neighbor happens to look through the window. Whereas the vast majority of home users have no idea what WEP is, even less know how to configure it properly. The simple fact that they do not know how to protect themselves does not give you the right to violate their property and/or privacy.
The proper thing to do would be to let them know that their wireless network is not secure, and if you are feeling nice (or want to charge them for it, or if the neighbor is really hot and you want to encourage them to leave their window blinds open
) offer to help them set it up properly.Actually its illegal to walk naked in your house next to open blinds (windows), if this windows is X (depends on variables) amount of feet away from a sidewalk or other public area.
Now about the network, I do not think it should be a question of legality, or comfort, or getting one over someone. The RIGHT THING (yes, some people still live this way) to do is to not snoop around your neighbors network, and to actually assist this person in securing this issue (free of charge of coarse). Think about what information this person might have on these computers that could be used to harm this family financially, or worst. Maybe, just maybe someone someday just might do something sincere for you. That?s just my 2 cents.
Now about the network, I do not think it should be a question of legality, or comfort, or getting one over someone. The RIGHT THING (yes, some people still live this way) to do is to not snoop around your neighbors network, and to actually assist this person in securing this issue (free of charge of coarse). Think about what information this person might have on these computers that could be used to harm this family financially, or worst. Maybe, just maybe someone someday just might do something sincere for you. That?s just my 2 cents.
This is exactly what I did for my neighbor. Fortunately she was smart enough to change the SSID so I knew whose router it was. I currently have another neighbor broadcasting with an SSID of Linksys. I would like to assist this person as well, but with the housing density of SoCal I have no idea which house the signal is coming from (And I would look like too much of a geek wandering the neighborhood with a laptop in hand).
Originally posted by: LBmtb
If I were you I would bring this to their attention and offer your network security services for a small fee.
Awesome answer, besides golden entrepreneurial skills, you could meet some cute girls.
Your analogy would work better if he left his doors open and then his house crashed into yours and you had a look around.
It is still unethical to snoop but not illegal. He is broadcasting his signal out to the open world.
If they have shared folders then you can always go through those..
Tho I once had some neighbours who i figgered were computer dense.. although I didn't know them that well. They had a network printer installed and I politely wrote them a word document that told them to secure their wireless network due to the coffee shop nearby.. and hten promptly printed it out on their printer.. needless to say it wasn't insecure for long... and to this day they still don't mention it.
Tho I once had some neighbours who i figgered were computer dense.. although I didn't know them that well. They had a network printer installed and I politely wrote them a word document that told them to secure their wireless network due to the coffee shop nearby.. and hten promptly printed it out on their printer.. needless to say it wasn't insecure for long... and to this day they still don't mention it.
leave a text file on thier desktop telling them the website with tips on how to secure wireless access...sign it "From God"
Technically it is not illegal unless the network is encrypted. Other than that, it is a broadcast on public channels - it is fair game.
Some law tends to argue that it is illegal to access a private computer not matter what the situation is. Other laws tend to argue that public airwaves are just that, and if you are broadcasting, you need to cover your own a$$. I suspect that at some point there will be a lawsuit that will once and for all answer this question. Like it will really matter considering those that have unsecured networks are most likely not those that are going to be aware of someone else using their network.
Some law tends to argue that it is illegal to access a private computer not matter what the situation is. Other laws tend to argue that public airwaves are just that, and if you are broadcasting, you need to cover your own a$$. I suspect that at some point there will be a lawsuit that will once and for all answer this question. Like it will really matter considering those that have unsecured networks are most likely not those that are going to be aware of someone else using their network.
As far as ethics go if you are doing it without there knowledge then it's unethical, but we all like to have a little fun every know and then.
I wasn't aware the FCC said the 2.4Ghz band was public. Last I checked you couldn't legally listen to someones phone conversation. There's not a big penalty attached to it if you get caught, but obviously it's frowned upon. Also, last time I checked you weren't allowed to make phonecalls on someone elses system.
Using someone elses bandwidth and/or connecting to their network unauthorized could be considered illegal depending on the laws in your state. However, I doubt any court would even so much as give you a fine if the network wasn't secure.
Remember this, "If you have to ask, don't do it."
TRENDING THREADS
-
Discussion Zen 5 Speculation (EPYC Turin and Strix Point/Granite Ridge - Ryzen 9000)- Started by DisEnchantment
- Replies: 25K
-
Discussion Intel Meteor, Arrow, Lunar & Panther Lakes Discussion Threads
- Started by Tigerick
- Replies: 21K
-
Discussion Intel current and future Lakes & Rapids thread- Started by TheF34RChannel
- Replies: 23K
-
-
Facebook
Twitter