Main > Everything Else
Do you steal wireless internet?
Zero_Hour:
--- Quote from: JoyMonkey on May 09, 2005, 05:16:38 pm ---I'm happy, and I don't feel that I'm doing anything wrong since everyone around me is using the same ISP.
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That's cool that you're happy, and I'm sure if the neighbor taps into your gas line it'll be cool, coz I'm sure you use the same utlity provider ;)
Seriously though, connecting to an unsecured network can be bad for you, in that their network may be populated with machines loaded with viruses, malware, who knows. The fact that their WAP is not locked down increases this likelyhood greatly, if they can't lock down their access point, what makes you think they can run antivirus regularly.
Even if I was a "share and share alike" kind of guy, I would be hesitant to let my neighbors surf on my dime. What if they have a penchant for p2p networks, pornography, threatening e-mails, etc.? First place the knock on the door will come is the source of the network traffic - which would be the unsecured router. Even if I plead innocent, my computers will likely be impounded and scrutinized. I'm not worried about the content of my machines, but having them confiscated indefinitely is something I don't want to ever worry about.
Part of the problem is the marketing people making is sound like plug n play, no muss, no fuss. Part of the problem is people believeing marketing departments, and not reading their documentation. And finally the ISP's that ship equipment in an unsecured configuration. I'm happy to say that mine had the WAP built into my DSL router disabled by default.
So I guess my answer is never.
P.S. - hope you're DSL problem is remedied soon ;D
crashwg:
I would deffinitly do it if I had neighbors with wireless routers. Unfortunatly I think we're the only ones in a hundred yard radius with broadband so I guess I'm stuck paying 50 someodd dollars a month. :'(
At least no one is using my broadband though as I don't have a wireless network. That would sure piss me off!
shmokes:
I deliberately left mine unsecured because I like to use other people's when I'm away from home. My computer is sitting behind a firewall so I wasn't concerned about my data. As RayB says, a perfect world is one with all unsecured networks and virtually ubiquitous internet access. Unfortunately some horse's ass was bit-torrenting or something so much that it was taking me down to dialup speed. So I had to secure it.
One person ruins it for the rest...
AlanS17:
I've used other people's on rare occassion. I pay for my own even though I could use a neighbor's. I found another machine on my network, though, and promptly locked it up. I still broadcast the name, though, so I can find it easier with my own devices. Yes, I'm too lazy to manually set it up. ;)
Crazy Cooter:
--- Quote from: crashwg on May 09, 2005, 07:29:41 pm ---I think we're the only ones in a hundred yard radius with broadband...
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Same here. I have my wireless disabled. When it is enabled (rarely), I have MAC authentication on.