Is Free Wifi Illegal? - Comments Page 1

Have you considered checking the FCC regulations dealing with that topic? It appears to me that from some of the posts that individuals have been wrongfully charged. It is my understanding that if the wireless has not been secured it is not illegal to connect to the system. If it has been secured with a password etc. It then is illegal. Check it out and see what you think.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I don't think this is something the FCC has any control over. Any state laws restricting anunthorized access to a computer would override the FCC rulings, anyway.

There is no such thing as free wifi. If it's there, then someone is paying for it to be there. If that person paying does not want others to log in, then he should not be broadcasting a UUID, which is technically an invitation (that why it exists, duh). Any wifi router that is broadcasting a UUID is fair game.

> But what if someone used your wifi
> to access kiddie porn sites, or
> illegally download music?

That is a concern for whoever is providing the service, not for whoever is using it. If you don't want strangers downloading kiddie porn, then don't broadcast a UUID.

EDITOR'S NOTE: You're welcome to your opinion, of course. But if state or local authorities have a different opinion, it could be difficult (and costly) to defend your position.

Ah I see .... it's all my fault. So if I have my ("unsecured") morning paper sitting in my driveway it's fair game to stop by, read it and put it back ? Same goes for my trash cans sitting out on the public street by the curb on trash day. Sure - come on by and put your trash in them, I'm paying, they're not "secured", so fill 'em up. After all my home's front door mat(UUID) does say "Welcome"................

EDITOR'S NOTE: Excellent analogies, thanks! Maybe it should be okay to read someone's mail too, if their mailbox is unlocked.

It is my personal opinion that using an unsecured wireless signal should be de-criminalized. Broadcasting an unsecured signal is very much like the "open door" concept of tresspassing.

If I come to your house and the door is closed, even if unlocked, it would be an offense to enter. But if the door is standing open it is assumed to be a tacit invitation to enter- 'open house'.

I believe that broadcasting an unsecured wireless signal is a tacit invitation to all and sundry to use the network. Even the most rudimentary sort of security would be sufficient to 'close the door' even if it were not locked securely.

I feel the onus should be on the wireless signal provider to secure his/her network if 'visitors' are not wanted. That way those who access such a secured network really are "un-authorized" and engaging in 'breaking and entering.' That should be a criminal offense

I don't see a problem with using unsecured wireless that someone broadcasts onto my property, just as if they were squirting a garden hose over my fence and my plants got watered.

I think it depends on the purpose of the unsecured wifi. If it is in a mall for example with the full intent of being accessed by patrons then it's ok. However if it is someone who is sitting in someones front yard then it is stealing.

If you don't own it,if you are not paying for it, and if you don't have permission to use it,you are stealing from someone. you are a thief.

Its one of the stupid american laws. Next you'll say that listening to the radio is a crime. If you dont want people using your wi-fi just secure it. Its not that tough you know. But then who am i to say....

"Some people liken wifi mooching to trespassing -- entering a home or business without the owner's permission. Just because the door is not locked, that doesn't make it right to sneak in."

But wifi is not tangible. You can't cross a 'boundary'. How do you contact the 'owner'? There isn't an address; you can't knock on the door; you can't send a letter,etc., to make contact to ask permission.

> But what if someone used your wifi
> to access kiddie porn sites, or
> illegally download music?

The downloader is tracked from the computer IP. Have you ever known an ISP to be prosecuted for facilitating the download of porn? Don't think so. Unlikely a wifi 'owner' would be prosecuted for third-party downloads.

If coffee shops, etc., don't want freeloaders accessing their wifi, they have a simple solution, already practiced by many such places. If they don't protect their wifi with time-limited passwords, they can't complain if non-customers use it.

"Some states and locales do have laws against unauthorized use of a computer or computer network".

That's not the same as accessing wifi if you don't attempt to enter the owner's network or computer to access the internet. In a rapidly changing society, it is common for the law not to take account of the changes.

I tried piggy backing my neighbors WI-FI but it drifted in and out all night long. I finally went legit and am using Cable internet. Is was both out of guilt/my bad luck and frustration. But.....so many locations that are not protected and wide open everywhere you are.

Now I have come clean with the world!