Using your neighbors wireless service

[terry1156]

I just finished reading an interesting article at money.com called <A HREF="http://money.cnn.com/2005/08/08/technology/personaltech/internet_piracy/index.htm">Stealing your neighbor's Net</A> about whether it is ethical and legal to get your Interent service for free by piggy-backing on your neighbor's wireless service.

Do you think this is a legitimate way to get high speed Internet access for free or is it simply stealing?

[Tree0164]

Re: Using your neighbors wireless service

I think that it is stealing.

We got our wireless service password protected.

[Bruce Wayne]

Re: Using your neighbors wireless service

I don't think its ethical at all. ADSL isn't expensive so there is no excuse for not paying your own way.

[akaivyleaf]

Re: Using your neighbors wireless service

If your neighbor consents, then what you're doing is unethical, but I wouldn't call it stealing. If your neighbor doesn't know, you're stealing. The provider is going to call it stealing either way... You should just get your own.

[jmjj215]

Re: Using your neighbors wireless service

To ensure your wireless isn't being stolen, it should only serve the MAC(s) on your computer(s) network interface cards. It's a simple setup.

[CRFSaver]

Re: Using your neighbors wireless service

Some people I know keep theirs open for anyone to use (with a firewall between their server and other computers). Depending on your provider it is illegal to share your open connection. Some providers dont care (Speakeasy?). Only thing you have to worry about with an open connection is someone downloading kiddy Pron on your connection. Even just using a WEP connection will protect you some.

[BAGAGT1]

Re: Using your neighbors wireless service

In my opinion it is not stealing, and may not be unethical if you do not abuse it. For example, if you only use it to browse web pages (as opposed to downloading illegal music and movies or using it for other malicious purposes) then I don't see the harm. It would be the equivalent to me leaving my porch light on, and my neighbor sitting outside on his porch reading a book using my light instead of his own. If you feel that it is stealing, then by all means lock your connection down, so no one can use it. I myself keep my connection locked down, but I have several neighbors who don't.

Just my two cents, but I don't understand what all the hype is about.

[gakline]

Re: Using your neighbors wireless service

I totally agree with Bagat1. I, personally, borrow my neighbor's wireless. They know about it and I pay them. They have a secure network, so I wouldn't be able to get on without their permission. Others in my neighborhood have unsecure connections and I could use their's if I wanted.

[Russell]

Re: Using your neighbors wireless service

BAGAGT1 hit it on the nail.

If you don't want others using your connection then all you have to do is to lock it down. There are many ways of doing it, WEP, WPA PSK, WPA EAS, Mac Filtering etc etc

I used my neighbors connection all the time when I didn't have my own hookup. I still use theirs because we have about 9-10 networks in my apt complex some of which have a much stronger signal than mine even when I sit 5 feet away from my own router. Sometimes I wonder why even have my own connection when I can't even connect to it half the time, wirelessly anyway.

[jmjj215]

Re: Using your neighbors wireless service

How do you resolve the issue of not paying the provider for the service you are getting? Two neighbors are using it, but the provider is only be paid for one user.

[gakline]

Re: Using your neighbors wireless service

How do you resolve the issue of not paying the provider for the service you are getting? Two neighbors are using it, but the provider is only be paid for one user.

Maybe I'm confused, but that is the point, to not pay the provider. The one user is paying full price and the provider has no way of knowing how many people are using it that don't live in the household.

[BCompDude]

Re: Using your neighbors wireless service

BAGAGT1 hit it on the nail.

If you don't want others using your connection then all you have to do is to lock it down. There are many ways of doing it, WEP, WPA PSK, WPA EAS, Mac Filtering etc etc

I used my neighbors connection all the time when I didn't have my own hookup. I still use theirs because we have about 9-10 networks in my apt complex some of which have a much stronger signal than mine even when I sit 5 feet away from my own router. Sometimes I wonder why even have my own connection when I can't even connect to it half the time, wirelessly anyway.

If I don't want others using my house or garage then all I have to do is lock it down. What if I don't? Its ok to come into my house or garage simply because I didn't lock it down? Ha. Excuses to justify the means.

If the other people know about it, fine. But if they don't, you are STEALING their bandwith, of which there is a FINITE amount, not INFINITE. Thats a big differentiation.

It is their service they pay for and just because they don't lock it down--for whatever reason--does not justify using it. What a slippery slope that leads down. . . .

http://www.forbes.com/business/feeds/ap/2005/07/06/ap2126874.html

Hopefully it leads to jailtime.

[Russell]

Re: Using your neighbors wireless service

If I don't want others using my house or garage then all I have to do is lock it down. What if I don't? Its ok to come into my house or garage simply because I didn't lock it down? Ha. Excuses to justify the means.

If the other people know about it, fine. But if they don't, you are STEALING their bandwith, of which there is a FINITE amount, not INFINITE. Thats a big differentiation.

It is their service they pay for and just because they don't lock it down--for whatever reason--does not justify using it. What a slippery slope that leads down. . . .

http://www.forbes.com/business/feeds/ap/2005/07/06/ap2126874.html

Hopefully it leads to jailtime.

OK, if you don't understand the wireless technology and risks involved with letting others use your connection you *must* enable security on that connection. If you broadcast your SSID and your connection is not protected that's equivalent of posting a big sign that says FREE Internet Connection!!

BcompDude, I would agree with you if you posted your reply in regard to network security. There are many risks associated with open/unmonitored wireless connections. Other people can use your connection to do illegal stuff and then disappear without a trace. This would be equivalent of someone running a crack-house out of your garage and then taking off just before the police arrives.

However, aside from the security aspect, come on people its just a darn link to 'net. Heck, every cafe, airport, restaurant, bookstore in town has free wireless access. My own wireless is open for anyone to use, but if I see they're abusing it or doing something illegal I'll turn their access off, its no big deal - but I haven't had to do this in 3 years now. In general I would suggest locking up your connection unless you have the means to monitor others' activities.

I certainly hope you mean that bandwidth is finite only while the connection is being saturated. Its not finite like you will run out of it completely or will have to overpay. No DSL/cable provider I know charges by the data tranfer.

[BAGAGT1]

Re: Using your neighbors wireless service

If I don't want others using my house or garage then all I have to do is lock it down. What if I don't? Its ok to come into my house or garage simply because I didn't lock it down? Ha. Excuses to justify the means.

Disagree, which is why I specifically used the analogy of the porch light, and not a house or car. You see, there is no way of preventing the light waves from traveling in an infinite number of directions, therefore if my neighbor wants to read his book using my light, the only option I have to prevent this is to turn off the light.

When you use a wireless conncetion, you are broadcasting* your internet connection in an infinite number of directions (much like the light bulb). Unlike the light, the radio waves can penetrate through walls (kind of like trespassing into my home...hmmmm). But unlike the lightbulb, I do have tools at my disposal to prevent others from using my internet connection.

I stand by my earlier post, if you don't lock your connection, I don't have to do much to pick up your connection. As a matter of fact, if there is only one open signal in the area, my wireless card will connect to it automatically. In my neighborhood, I have to prevent my wireless card from connecting to my next door neighbors conncetion, because since his connection is open, and my connection is not, my card will connect to my neighbors connection before it will connect to my own.

Broadcast (as defined by dictionary.com):

To transmit a radio or television program for public or general use.
To be on the air: The station begins broadcasting at 6 A.M.
To participate in a radio or television program.
To send a transmission or signal; transmit.

[pennywise]

Re: Using your neighbors wireless service

Folks, I have a problem with some of this. Read all please. I recently asked someone if I walked into a store and took a pack of gum and walked out did I steal? Yes. Followed with I was at work and it is 5:00 and my boss wanted me to stay over 10 minutes unpaid to finish a job, did he steal? It is interesting how people think. An employer steals all the time - when you take someones time or idea without paying for it you steal. Just because someone is on your premises and comes up with an idea does not mean you own it. The phone lines and satellites have been paid for my the taxpayers, yet look at the charges and monies the CEO's are making. Who is doing the stealing? I suggest you do secure yourself from potential crimes, however, if a crime is committed on your internet it is up to the police and internet company to find the real perpetrator.