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Re: [IRCA] (OT) Re: Wi-Fi legality
Walt raised a point about legality.
It may not be legal to take it from Starbucks or a hotel if you are not
a current customer but there are some folks who open up their bandwidth
for all. In fact, when searching for WiFi signals, Windows says "free
wireless net." If they want to say that it's not free maybe they should
change the routers name to something like "DontStealfromMe" AND to
secure their connection. :) I was talking with a neighbor (actually the
neighbors adult son (and family) who is staying with the neighbor) and
we weretalking computers. He repairs them. I mentioned that someone
has an open (unsecured) connection named generic "Belkin 54". He said
that was him and he has it open for all. This may come to a screaching
halt if providers get carried away with useage caps. This sounds like a
"when" not "if" kind of deal.
As far as Panera Bread goes, they have a splash screen that discusses
how you should be a customer to use their free witeless.
73,
Dave in Indy
------------------------------
Message: 9
Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2009 22:31:58 -0400
From: Scott Fybush <scott@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: Mailing list for the International Radio Club of America
<irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [IRCA] Wi-Fi legality (OT)
Message-ID: <49D1809E.3040806@xxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
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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