Latching onto my wireless signal

[Bright_Star]

We have a friend who just bought a used laptop & is having her nephew work on it, getting it ready to go online. So I was talking to her & suggested that she get Verizon high speed internet cause that's what I have & at $27.99 a month, it's not too expensive.

So he asks me if there is any way they could latch onto my wireless signal? I said "No way, cause it's NOT legal & PLUS I have it encrypted" He gave me a nasty look when I said that...lol.

He can give it his best shot, but he aint gonna get too far.

[Rine]

Oh, I guess they are neighbors then? Whenever my friends come over, I let them into my network so they can use my signal. My eldery neighbor that I trust...I have her on my network too. She doesn't use the internet that much, anyway.

But I remember when I secured my network a few years ago and the other neighbor came over and wanted back in. I was like..."uh, no. That's illegal. I don't want you on my network. Get your own." Glad he moved away a few weeks ago.

[Akasa]

But I remember when I secured my network a few years ago and the other neighbor came over and wanted back in. I was like..."uh, no. That's illegal. I don't want you on my network. Get your own." Glad he moved away a few weeks ago.

That's some nerve right there.

[Rine]

Yeah, but from what I understand and have heard, it happens more often than you think. Some people don't realize that just because it's not secured or your computer auto connects...doesn't mean it's legal to do so. Or they are just morons.

[Rapscallion]

I would have thought it legal if you gave permission? It may be against the terms of service of the contract with your ISP, but I would have thought legal if allowed.

Rapscallion

[Mr. Rager!]

Most ISPs will generally frown upon you sharing your wireless connection with your neighbors. If they really wanted, they could take you to court over it. The likely hood of that happening, not great.

Of course, if a neighbor I had was upset because I locked down my wireless and they could no longer get on, I'd slam the door in their face.

If they try and get onto an unencrypted network, I don't believe that's illegal. But, if they try and get onto an encrypted network, that is illegal. It's illegal for you to provide an unencrypted network for everyone around you because of the Terms of Service from your ISP.

I think that's how I remember someone putting it to me.

[Broomjockey]

If they try and get onto an unencrypted network, I don't believe that's illegal.

From what I've heard, if it's a private person's network, unencrypted or not it's illegal. A business may provide unencrypted access for customers, but you need explicit permission from an individual. It's a little like your front door. Whether you lock it or not, it's still illegal for someone to wander it without you inviting them.

[pssorens]

you can also get people asking you a lot of uncomfortable questions depending on what they are downloading or hacking as it will be traced through your wireless router.

[EricKei]

iirc: It's only legal if the person who pays the bill gives you explicit permission. This can, of course, be revoked at any time without notice.

[BookstoreEscapee]

There are several unsecured networks I could get on to in my apartment complex, if I were so inclined. Mine requires a password, though, and only my roommate and I are on it. Occasionally I lose my connection, though, and I can see all the others when I go to reconnect. I can also get on my dad's when I bring the computer to his house.

[bookworm]

I have a neighbor that has an unencrypted connection. Drove me nuts til I figured out how to set mine to not connect to the first available one. That's the only unlocked one I've ever run across though.