Open wireless connections.

[Rollo]

Whilst I do not condone the use of using other people's bandwidth, is it actually illegal to "piggyback" onto an open (unencrypted) wireless connection you happen to come accross?

[Ethel]

It is illegal:

"He was found guilty of dishonestly obtaining an electronic communication service and his computer and wireless card were confiscated, he was fined �500 and given a 12-month conditional discharge. "

http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/t ech_and_web/the_web/article2310670.ece

[Rollo]

Gosh!


Thanks ethel.

[Rollo]

One assumes that apples are not covered by the Computer Misuse Act, and Section 125 of the Communications Act 2003.

Unless they are Apple Macs possibly!

[Ethel]

You see, Rollo, the problem is just not stealing bandwith and possibly adding to a stranger's internet bill - it is much more sinister than that.

If somebody was to piggyback your internet to download child porn the only trace would be to your internet connection.

Try using that as a defence and see how far you get.

[Rollo]

Yes ethel, I do see that.

[BillySugger]

If you are piggy-backing from your own house , not like the idiot in the link - sat on a wall how would anyone know . After all if someone is not savvy enough to protest their wireless connection how would they know anybody else was using it & how could they pinpoint who it was ?

[Ethel]

I would know, Billy

My router logs all the activity and I can tell immediately if another computer logs on.

It logs all sorts information, including the MAC address of every pc that logs on.

[Ethel]

Neil - the evidence is there to trace where porn is downloaded to.

They may not be able to prosecute because non would be on the hard drive, but that doesn't mean you won't have a harrowing few weeks whilst you are being investigated

[terambulan]

Errrr....I thought we had code numbers and pass words to connect the wifi & broadband....I have and only cputers that know this info could log on from here.

Or am I wrong?