Re: [IRCA] Wi-Fi legality (OT)
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Re: [IRCA] Wi-Fi legality (OT)



Tim Kridel wrote:
Yes, people have been taken to court over this, but it's very rare.

Here's what I'm thinking:

Yes, it's technically illegal to "borrow" someone else's home WiFi connection, even if they're essentially leaving the door wide open by not putting any kind of security on it. (My WiFi at home doesn't broadcast a network name and is protected by the strongest version of WPA encryption my router will support; even that is no barrier at all to a determined hacker, but it at least dissuades anyone sniffing around for open WiFi.)

In practice, of course, open WiFi connections seem to be a dime a dozen. I rarely fail to find one when I'm traveling, and sure, I've used them from time to time. Who hasn't?

Perhaps it all hinges on what kind of terms Patrick is on with his neighbors. I'm wondering if he could find someone in the neighborhood who already has cable, and who'd be willing to have a cable modem installed at THEIR house, but with Patrick paying the bills. Patrick could then install his own WiFi router at the neighbor's house, which he'd then access from home.

No RFI issues at Patrick's house, no question that the WiFi would remain available, and since I'm sure Patrick would be happy to "share" that cable modem connection with the neighbor hosting it - and the neighbor would presumably be happy to have free high-speed internet service, on Patrick's dime - everybody wins, right?

(OK, maybe not the cable company...but if they're too cheap to shield their system properly, which is required by FCC rules, then the heck with 'em...)

s
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