When is it OK to, um, borrow your neighbors Wi-Fi signal?
So my WiFi started getting really slow, but I know my neighbors password for his WiFi and can get on it. When is it OK to get on a secured WiFi signal (because open WiFi signals are fair game imho)?
by
dicedeals
asked 4 months ago
legally: never.
with a secured system: only with permission. (if they told you a password -not the same thing as permission- then they probably say ok)
nonsecured system: remember your info can be hacked too. are you sure you want to?
While I agree on the unsecured wifi, since you know the password, if he's limited on downloads, you could find yourself...on the short end of the stick when he finds out you been stealin'.
Normally I would say no, but if they are dumb enough to leave it open, go for it. It's their own fault.
Seeing as he has given you the password before, I would at least give him a heads up that you will be on it. Don't do it if he's not cool with it.
When he says it's ok. That being said the real question is by giving you the password does that mean he has inherentley given you permission to use it whenever you want ?
it's never legal without permission. I've even read about people sitting in a car outside mcdonalds using their wifi, who were criminally charged since they weren't a customer.
people who leave their networks unsecured are just asking for trouble, though.
As someone mentioned, it opens you up to problems too, I know people who have the expertise to mess with people using their wifi, like loading GBs of animal porn. Lots of people leave their wifi unsecured with the intent of luring in people they can mess with.
When you move into a new place and you're waiting to have your own service set up.
Perhaps the problem is people are stealing your wifi and slowing it down. Lock yours up and change the password and see if the speed increases.
You wouldn't walk into your neighbor's house just because he left the door open.
You also wouldn't unlock your neighbor's door just because you knew where he leaves his key.
If you did either, it would be trespassing. Some jurisdictions have passed or are contemplating passing legislation that basically makes trespassing on wifi signals the same/similar crime as physical trespassing.
Get permission.
Since you're already paying for your own WiFi, maybe your question should be "Why has my WiFi started getting really slow?" - which the Wooter techies would no doubt be happy to answer.
I say if they leave it unprotected or use their networks's name as the password they should expect people to use it.
I think someone made up the macaroos wifi answer.
did they run out the door and say they are stealing our air too?
Part of me says: You wouldn't enter your neighbor's house without their permission if you knew where the spare key was kept, would you.
The other part of me says: He probably wouldn't notice occasional internet browsing.
I'm going to put that together and say you should probably ask him if it's okay before you do any bandwidth intensive use or before frequent use. Technically, it's not secured because he has shared his password with you and not changed it, but it's just kind of a douchey move.
I let my neighbors use my Wifi, they don't have a computer, she just uses it to download stuff to her Kindle. But I had a neighbor who was borrowing my signal (with permission) and found out he was sucking down like 90% of my bandwidth. He got shut down in short order.
Just ask him if he minds.
There is no clear law on whether or not it is legal to access an unsecured neighbors wifi(if I am wrong prove it with a legit link).
If he has given you his password at one point I would say you are in the clear. If you have acquired his password via kismet or some other cracking tools then you are across the line.
Even if conflict was to arise from you accessing a neighbors unsecured wifi (or one he has given you access in the past to) you could plead ignorance and say that your computer automatically connected. For instance, if your home wifi is called linksys and your neighbors wifi is called linksys your computer wouldn't be able to differentiate between the two. What's more, if it is unsecured how are you to know that they haven't set up the network for your and your neighbors own free access?
I've never had to borrow wi-fi...
but we used to run a telephone cable out our window, and connect it to the neighbors phone box to dial-up our universities network @ 2-4am when our phone was down for 2-3wks due to payment issues.... 20some-odd years ago.
In the same spirit, I've occasionally left my wi-fi open in previous years, only to turn it off if I see the bandwidth being abused.
I closed that door 5yrs ago or so. Too many script kiddies playing hacker that I don't want to be responsible for.
That law was passed to prevent folk from getting "free" Net access, as opposed to getting their own account from the local cable corp. They also wanted to outlaw things like Pringle can antennae.
We have numerous power glitches, and sometimes the routers get reset. Once my access got real slow because the router was now unsecured, there were five other people on it besides me. and I got my first ISP letter.
ANYway, get permission first.
There are ways of consensual sharing of assets.
Wow, there are quite a few thieves here.
Like many other people have said, though, the only time it's ok to use your neighbor's wifi is when you have permission from the owner.
It's a matter of honor, and ethics. Ethical people do not steal.
@lll0228: what is someone stealing when they check their email on your unsecured wireless connection?
If someone is in their house, they turn their computer on and it automatically connects to your wifi because it is unsecured and they check their email or update facebook what have they stolen? Are you paying per kb of data you use on your home internet? Are they actively going out being malicious?
In the world of wifi you have to secure your network. Your wifi is technically crossing into their property. Ethical people don't trespass. I don't want your wifi on my property. It's a matter of honor and ethics.
Q: When is it OK to, um, borrow your neighbors Wi-Fi signal?
A: When they haven't secured it.
Reason: Is there anything wrong with picking a quarter up from the side walk? I'm not talking inside the front door, but on the street? By failing to secure one's WLAN, you are throwing quarters on the sidewalk outside your home.
when they leave it unlocked
@justincredibleg: I hear the 'it's illegal' claim a lot, and there are laws. Not just in Texas, by far:
According to Section 33.02 of the Texas Penal Code, it is against the law for a person to access any computer or network without the effective consent of the owner. This is primarily an anti-hacking law, but it can also be applied to anyone connecting to a private wireless network without asking the person who owns the network. In most cases, this is a Class A misdemeanor under Texas law.
I leave my wireless network unsecured in my apartment building. I keep a casual eye on moochers, a substantial number of which are tablets. I have my computer hooked up to a LAN connection, so I don't have any speed issues. If there was any severe abuse, I'd stop it, but I'm comfortable letting others share otherwise. The one time I myself went over my bandwith limit, it was just a useful excuse to my ISP to keep them off my back.
@havocsback: There are numerous legal arguments to be made that "effective consent of the owner" includes choosing to leave a WLAN unprotected. Choosing not to control the power output, effectively knocking on your neighbors door saying, 'join me for dinner.'
Having not read the penal code, it's hard to speak in specifics, but if the law was designed to curb hacking, then unless the access was used for nefarious purposes, it couldn't be applied to the average 'joe the plumber' just checking their email, their bank balance or the CSPAN schedule.
@mschauber: In Texas the code is exactly as it says. If it isn't yours and you don't have permission do not connect. If my neighbor leaves their door unlocked it does not give me permission to go in and use their bathroom. If I leave my wifi open that doesnt mean you can connect to it even to check your email. Not everyone knows how to protect their wifi and many companies charge for set up.
I do share with some neighbors but I keep an eye on things and limit the amount of users on at one time.
@mutedexposure Most if not all wireless routers nowadays come with a setup cd that will walk a person through the setting up process of a wireless router. This includes setting up encryption on the wifi.
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