Comments on: Wireless Tapping – Theft or Sharing?

By: Slinky

Slinky — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:57:12 +0000

Thanks, it was the only analogy I could think of. I do tap other connections if I’m not at home or my own goes down and they aren’t secured, but I wouldn’t rely on one for regular use. we secure ours with a phone number. If you know us well enough to know that, you’re welcome to our wireless too.

By: FruWiki Meg

FruWiki Meg — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:09:09 +0000

@cyberangel

Just curious, when you mean universal wireless, do you mean universal as in *free* wireless everywhere or just wireless available everywhere.

Also, aren’t you worried about what people may be doing while using your wireless connection? Or that they may be listening in as you use it? It’s more common than most people would probably think. I know because my husband is in the wireless business.

By: LivingAlmostLarge

LivingAlmostLarge — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 17:55:00 +0000

Cyberangel, consider it a no! It doesn’t matter the reason and intresting perspective slinky about lemonade and sidewalk.

By: Cyberangel

Cyberangel — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 04:12:53 +0000

I couldn’t vote on your question because my answer wasn’t there. “No, ‘they’ should do whatever they want.” My wireless is open. I’m paying for it. You’re welcome.
And thank the neighbors when I go to visit my Mom for leaving theirs open.
I’ll be glad when we have universal wireless.

By: Slinky

Slinky — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 22:05:26 +0000

Because of the nature of WiFi connections (broadcast into free air), I think it’s your responsibility to lock it down. Otherwise it’s like getting mad at kids running back and forth on the sidewalk in front of your house in the summer because you’ve got your sprinkler on. Sure…they’re taking your water, but you left it on public property.

That said, I don’t think you should be using someone else’s connection for regular use or heavy traffic. That’s like the kids setting up a lemonade stand using water from your sprinkler or something. It’s just not right.

And using someone else’s open connection for anything you want to stay private is just dumb.

By: Carnival of Money Stories Edition No. 88 - The Dough Roller

Carnival of Money Stories Edition No. 88 - The Dough Roller — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 11:45:45 +0000

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By: LAL

LAL — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 13:45:10 +0000

So far it appears an even split amongst people.

By: FixThePig

FixThePig — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 05:14:33 +0000

I think that it’s unethical to use another person’s wireless internet connection without them knowing.
I think that it might be illegal as well…how is it any different then getting free cable off of another persons line?

By: SimplyForties

SimplyForties — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 04:28:05 +0000

I left my network open for awhile out of laziness. I know my neighbor across the street was tapping in, which I didn’t mind. My tenant used it too. When I did encrypt it I gave both of them the key. My neighbor said if I felt the need to encrypt it, she probably shouldn’t be using it and I don’t think she is. Who knows who else was using it. I really did feel like it was my responsibility to encrypt it if I wanted to keep people out.

By: fengshui

fengshui — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:01:13 +0000

I would never do this. What if I was paying for the service and my next door neighbor was paying me for the service, and they were doing all kinds of illegal activity under my wireless signal. Am I liable??? It isn’t the principle of “stealing”, I certainly don’t care about stealing from the communications monopoly here in town, they are making a killing off of everyone….. but I don’t want to be prosecuted for someone else’s online shopping with a stolen credit card, etc…..