WiFi hopping

[MattGSX]

I've really been thinking about this, lately, especially since I just moved back home.

Is it illegal to access someone else's internet connection via unsecured wireless? No access to other computers, no network h4xiing... none of that shit. Just Internet. No file sharing. Just web browsing. Would this fall under the broad umbrella of "unauthorized network access" or would that be different?


And, if it is: Have you heard of anyone actually getting busted for it? I mean, wouldn't you have to fuck up quite a bit to get busted?

[AmishGangsta]

And, if it is: Have you heard of anyone actually getting busted for it? I mean, wouldn't you have to fuck up quite a bit to get busted?

A friend of mine was to cheap to spring for high-speed so he lived off his neighbor's unsecured WiFi for almost a year; they never had a clue.

And he was actually doing all the things you listed that you won't be doing.

I haven't even heard of someone getting caught mooching someone else's WiFi, let alone getting prosecuted for it.

[trevelyn]

yeah your not allowed to share your inet connection at all, you wouldnt get into nearly as much trouble as the morons who dont secure their network will.  There was a guy in Florida i remember reading about that got arrested for sitting in his car in front of someones house using their internet via 802.11  I somethimes like to use the local libraries IP and when i sit in the parking lot there are usually always idle cop cars there with me, and not once have they cared.  I like seeing APs that have no machines attached to them and have no inet connection either! heh, like wtf are they for you know?? I bet the Best Buy Geek Squad tells old people they need to buy one of their routers and plug it into the wall to get a "better connection" ...
"Yes ma'am, when you see the green lights on that blue box lit up, that there means for sure you'll be gittin a good connectshun!" 

[MattGSX]

Thanks, trev. That's actually really good to know. By that reasoning, wouldn't using a Fonero router also be illegal, then?

[gangals]

Wouldn't using a Fonero router also be illegal, then?

FON has paired up with select ISPs that now allow FON routers. FON also now keeps logs of everyone that connect to the router and purchases internet access / logs in via their FON account.

[rbcp]

I can think of two stories I've read this year where people have been arrested for "stealing" wifi and all they were doing was accessing the internet.  One story involved a guy sitting in a library parking lot after the library was closed, using their internet.  The other was a guy sitting in the parking lot of a coffee shop, using their free wifi.  The cops asked him what he was doing and he said just using the internet.  They arrested him for unauthorized use, despite the sign on the front of the building that said free wifi.  Apparently the charges stuck too, even though the owners had no idea it was illegal for people to use their wifi after hours and they weren't interested in pressing charges against him.

Too bad I can't find the articles.

[MattGSX]

That's pretty crazy. I'm not sure what the police in my area would do in the situation. I usually don't use the internet outside, partly out of paranoia for the same reason. Even on campus, I prefer to be in buildings.

[AmishGangsta]

Too bad I can't find the articles.

http://www.sptimes.com/2005/07/04/Southpinellas/Wi_Fi_cloaks_a_new_br.shtml

http://news.com.com/8301-10784_3-9722006-7.html?tag=tb

[rbcp]

Whenever I've parked in an open area to steal some wifi, I've always been sure to have my GPS screen running too.  If someone asked me what I was up to, I could say I'm looking at my map.  This has never happened though.

[mr_doc]

Joe Peacock wrote a story about being busted for stealing wifi

[ryanfido]

I can think of two stories I've read this year where people have been arrested for "stealing" wifi and all they were doing was accessing the internet.  One story involved a guy sitting in a library parking lot after the library was closed, using their internet.  The other was a guy sitting in the parking lot of a coffee shop, using their free wifi.  The cops asked him what he was doing and he said just using the internet.  They arrested him for unauthorized use, despite the sign on the front of the building that said free wifi.  Apparently the charges stuck too, even though the owners had no idea it was illegal for people to use their wifi after hours and they weren't interested in pressing charges against him.

Too bad I can't find the articles.

the coffee shop guy was here where i live.

they ended up dropping the 'stealing' charge and just trespassed him out.

for everyones record:

there are very few wifi laws

NYC: illegal to have an unsecured network, the end

florida: illegal to own aftermarket wifi equipment.

it is not illegal to use coffee shop wifi unless youre on their property, and they have to ask you to leave and then you have to refuse.. the cop will harass you but the charges wont stick. right now it stands that wifi that is intercepted by your device is nothing more than a radio getting a radio station. cracking wep is illegal, duh, but, if you spoof your mac address good luck getting prosecuted. pwn.

[trevelyn]

right, and the cops busted dakuwan and i beigeboxing from a huge TNI behind a shopping center once.. I just told him i was a physics student at CMU, and that i made a phone, and wanted to test it, but i had no landline of my own My own mediocre attempt at humor has been highly amusing to myself.. he had no i dea wtf we were doing (setting Call forwarding) and told us to go home. actually he said "you better disappear...NOW!" and gave me the phone back and the bag full of phone cables.  I am sure they have no clue around here what to do if you were using the networx, They sit in the parking lot of the library waiting for speeders while i sit on a bench (after hours) and they never once said anything to me.  Im sure they see the computer, i mean it has a bright white apple logo lit up on the front of it!

[xDCx]

florida: illegal to own aftermarket wifi equipment.

What do you mean by that?

[mr_doc]

You know how after the party it's the afterparty? Well after the market it's the aftermarket. Then I think it's the hotel lobby but you'd better ask jammie to be sure

[gangals]

florida: illegal to own aftermarket wifi equipment.

What do you mean by that?

It means when a wireless card comes with said antenna, then you can't modify it in any way or replace it with any different antenna. Same thing goes with modifying the chipset and adding an amplifier.