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Wifi Question...Is it illegal??

#21
I've always been of the opinion that if they don't secure it it's fair game. It takes no time to set up a password.

Unfortunately I am forced to use an unlocked account because Verizon decided to go on strike a day after I made the installation appointment (I am incredibly angry at Verizon btw).
 
#25
rr5025 said:
I've always been of the opinion that if they don't secure it it's fair game. It takes no time to set up a password.

Unfortunately I am forced to use an unlocked account because Verizon decided to go on strike a day after I made the installation appointment (I am incredibly angry at Verizon btw).
Click to expand...

Lockout really, 3 of my best friends & bandmates are out on strike with the CWA.....
 
#26
It is NOT illegal in the U.S. to utilize someone's unsecured WiFi. It is immoral, but that's personal choice. It is dangerous for someone to have their WiFi unsecured, though, for the reasons mentioned above. Secure her connection, and keep the passwords with you, so that you can get in if needed (after a restore operation or the purchase of a new computer, for example).
 
#27
#28
As someone who has a career in the credit card industry, one of the main methods of fraud is criminals with stolen credit cards, driving around looking for unsecured connections. With a laptop in hand, they find their sucker, stop and run the transaction, and it looks like and traces back to the wifi owner...NOT GOOD.
 
#31
Set up security, then write a document with the password and nice clear directions on how to login if she ever loses the connection. Save the document on her desktop so she can find it.

And also save a copy in her root directory on the C drive in case she deletes the one on her desktop. She'll never find the one on C unless you direct her there.
 
#32
tekdiver500ft said:
It is NOT illegal in the U.S. to utilize someone's unsecured WiFi. It is immoral, but that's personal choice. It is dangerous for someone to have their WiFi unsecured, though, for the reasons mentioned above. Secure her connection, and keep the passwords with you, so that you can get in if needed (after a restore operation or the purchase of a new computer, for example).
Click to expand...

In Tennessee, it's illegal to use anyone else's subscription based service as your own. Netflic, cable, Wifi, Xbox live, etc. are all included.
 
#33
Enact ALL of the security suggestions previous listed above..

You can also use a dedicated Wireless Access Point in addition to your main router and configure it as it's own subnet. That way your desktops will be harder to get to from the outside.
 
#36
Maybe she doesn't mind because she wants others less fortunate to have the ability to use the internet. Did you have a discussion with her about why she doesn't mind?

You can secure your computer and still have a wifi connection that's open so that others can use it without security. This may violate your terms of service because the providers don't want you to share, they want everyone to have their own private connection so they can make more money, they use the fear of security to achieve that goal.
 
#37
Phil Smith said:
Maybe she doesn't mind because she wants others less fortunate to have the ability to use the internet. Did you have a discussion with her about why she doesn't mind?
Click to expand...

She may think there's nothing valuable enough on her comp to be worth stealing, but you could convince her to think of it this way: If you left you car door open, thinking that there's nothing worth stealing in it, and someone stole the car, robbed a bank then parked it back in the driveway, the cops would find it there and YOU would be suspect #1 in the robbery. :eek:
Don't think it can't happen, I've seen it done,(Not by me, of course) in Toronto. (Not a robbery, either, but a drug deal. almost as bad if not worse.) :eyebrow:
 
#38
Ayce said:
She may think there's nothing valuable enough on her comp to be worth stealing, but you could convince her to think of it this way: If you left you car door open, thinking that there's nothing worth stealing in it, and someone stole the car, robbed a bank then parked it back in the driveway, the cops would find it there and YOU would be suspect #1 in the robbery. :eek:
Don't think it can't happen, I've seen it done,(Not by me, of course) in Toronto. (Not a robbery, either, but a drug deal. almost as bad if not worse.) :eyebrow:
Click to expand...

This is a bizarre analogy. Are you saying free wifi in places like Barnes and Noble makes them the primary suspect when fraudulent activity takes place over that connection?
 
#40
I'll agree it may seem a bit bizzare, but it's more of a scare tactic than anything. As I said, I did see that sort of thing in T.O. and then some, the crackheads there are NUTS!!
As for large book stores, they usually have a disclaimer near their Free WiFi signs saying they are not resposible for any illegal activities or content, or somrthing along those lines. Or at least they should, IMO. :)
 

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