Do you steal wireless internet?

[JoyMonkey]

Recently I visited a friend and was surprised to find that he was 'stealing' a wireless internet connection from a neighbour. I knew this was possible, it just surprised me because he's the most honest person on the planet.

For the last few days my DSL connection speed has gone down the shitter. I called Verizon and they're sending someone out (probably to replace my ancient DSL modem), so in the mean-time I thought I'd try grabbing a connection from a neighbour. I plugged in an old USB adapter and found 5 unsecured wireless networks around me! Five! Out of eight! I've got a slow Wireless-B adapter, but it runs faster than my current crippled connection so I'm happy, and I don't feel that I'm doing anything wrong since everyone around me is using the same ISP.

Now I'm wondering why DSL routers are factory set to 'unsecure' modes. Would it be that hard to have an initial setup program that gave the router a password? My neighbours probably have no idea that anyone has access to their internet. If I was an uber-geek I could probably get into all their shared documents and god knows what else.

PS. If you live on my block and have a wireless router called 'NetGear', sorry.

[TheTick]

I know Comcast's TOS (term of service) prohibts sharing. Of course its unintentional, but would be funny if someone gets their contract terminated.

I wound up locking my network down when I got my new laptop. Out of ten WLANs, I was one of 8 that was insecure    My stupid Buffalo gateway/repeater never worked right with security enabled. Glad I dumped that and the ReplayTV it was connected too.

[ChadTower]

Of course, someone like me periodically checks the list of leases in my router's logs, and would wipe the machine of someone found on my network.

Seriously, they dont' have to be encrypted, all they have to do is change the SSID and not broadcast it.  You'd never find that network.

[RayB]

In some ways, it should all be shared freely. What a better world we'd live in. No? 

When we first got our laptop, it had built-in wireless and I didn't have wireless yet. So what I did was scan for a network and sure enough found one that was "open to the public". Upon connection I was instantly hit with a couple trojan horse viruses.

That was the last time I ever connected to someone else's network.

[GGKoul]

I do.. but afterwards I tell the neighbour that he should change the default router settings.

[Zero_Hour]

I'm happy, and I don't feel that I'm doing anything wrong since everyone around me is using the same ISP.

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 

[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]

I think we're the only ones in a hundred yard radius with broadband...

Same here.  I have my wireless disabled.  When it is enabled (rarely), I have MAC authentication on.

[quarterback]

Unfortunately some horse's ass was bit-torrenting or something so much that it was taking me down to dialup speed.

[SirPoonga]

Now I'm wondering why DSL routers are factory set to 'unsecure' modes. Would it be that hard to have an initial setup program that gave the router a password?

It could be a little difficult to do that.

Anyway, it's amazing the number of people think all you do is plug the router in and tada, instant internet nothing else to do.

I run airsnare and net stimbler every once and a while.  Actually, run airsnare quite abit to record anyone connecting to mine.  Though I have mine setup with WEP or whatever it is called and mac.  Have my pci card setup as AP only (no peer to peer).

I've been picking up a computer to computer connection lately.  I bet someone just got a new laptop with wireless built in, and will never use the wireless.

[DemonBrew]

Seriously, they dont' have to be encrypted, all they have to do is change the SSID and not broadcast it.

[SOAPboy]

Sometimes..

If i happen to be on the road, with a laptop with wireless, ill have it scanning looking for bandwidth so i can use my net radio and stuff..

[Stingray]

Even if I wanted to, I don't have any neighbors who are close enough for me to leach off of anyway.

-S

[JDSkydiver]

OK:

I have a NETGEAR Wireless Router connected to a Sprint DSL modem.

(No, I don't think you are stealing from me, unless you live in Las Vegas!)

Q-1:
What is the best wau to secure my wireless so no-one can free-load?

Q-2:
What is the best way to secure my DSL so my teens kids can't jump on the internet with IE instead of using the AOL with parental controls (just forund out their getting sneakier!)

Q-3:
What is the best way to "NAME" my wireless, so that when I, or guest, use their wireless laptops, they know what connection is mine.

Also, per Q-3, I'd like to rename my wireless to TROJAN VIRUS DEPOT or some other "scary" name to ward off lurkers...

Thanks!

JDSkydiver

[Shape D.]

Q-2:
What is the best way to secure my DSL so my teens kids can't jump on the internet with IE instead of using the AOL with parental controls (just forund out their getting sneakier!)

delete it.

[rampy]

check out this I, Cringely column on making an uber wireless mesh network

BTW: you should check out dslreports / broadband reports for info/guides on securing your wifi

The wifi router makers leave it wide open on purpose, to reduce support calls $$$

*shrug*

rampy

[ChadTower]

Not entirely true. Ever run kismet or wellenreiter? They can see SSIDs even with broadcast off. It works like this: the access point doesn't "advertise" the SSID but, when one client connects to it, it looks for anthing responding to SSID XYZ. Anyone sniffing the air will see the laptop connect to SSID XYZ.

Wireless security should be multilayered. MAC address filtering, SSID broadcast off, strong encryption; all good stuff. Most APs already have basic security options available, you paid for them, might as well use them.

It should be multilayered, but doesn't have to be.  If you don't live in a place where that type of effort is necessary, why do it?  I live in a rural area, anyone within range of my router would have to be visible to my house and parked outside my property.  The only house with that type of range is an old man who wouldn't have any knowledge or use for wireless internet.  The risk here is much lower than it would be in an apt building or dense area.

[mr.Curmudgeon]

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...

This is why communism only works in theory, not in practice.

mr.C
Resident Socialist at heart.

[DemonBrew]

It should be multilayered, but doesn't have to be.

[DemonBrew]

Q-1:
What is the best wau to secure my wireless so no-one can free-load?

Q-2:
What is the best way to secure my DSL so my teens kids can't jump on the internet with IE instead of using the AOL with parental controls (just forund out their getting sneakier!)

Q-3:
What is the best way to "NAME" my wireless, so that when I, or guest, use their wireless laptops, they know what connection is mine.

1) Check out http://kbserver.netgear.com/kb_web_files/n101379.asp
2) Not sure you can do it on a Netgear, but some routers / firewalls allow for application blocking. I think a host based firewall like Windows XP exceptions or ZoneAlarm can be configured to "block IE" and "allow AOL". The other option is to dump the AOL parenting and get a firewall that does the parenting for you (Astaro firewall comes to mind).
3) My fav is SSID name of "honeypot". It's a hacker / security term for a network or target that's acting as a decoy for hackers; but is monitored very closely. http://wi-fiplanet.webopedia.com/TERM/H/honeypot.html

[JDSkydiver]

Demon -

Lots of info...  THANKS!
I'm research eth neatgear site, and look into ASTARO.

Thanks again!

- JDSkydiver

[missioncontrol]

I would if I could....but since I'm out in the boonies and only have dial up available to the area and directv is too expensive... I can't