If you're stealing bandwidth from a neighbor's WLAN, you better read this

read the 109 other post on this topic?

what do you think about this?

please answer the poll and explain your answer.

No because the person with the routor has the option to secure it or not, My netowork is password protected while other peoples isn't. I'm not going to lie, sometimes my internet goes really slow (there are two other computers and the xbox that uses the internet)because everyone is using it, I connect to one that is unsecured so that when i'm playing a game it doesn't lag. I have also connected to it when my internet went out (it sometimes goes out for hours on end, not often though).

I also say no because when one leaves their router unsecure, he or she is basically granting permission for people nearby to use it. All routers come with very easy and detailed instructions on how to secure them, so I don't feel for the people at all. And yes, I have used unsecure routers while on vacation and I don't loose sleep over it.

yeah exactly. It's not a big deal, it it was everyones would be secured.

I piggyback peoples routers when I go yardsaling...I borrow their connection for a few mins, usually 3 minutes max

the router I use at home is a WRT54G with DD-WRT firmware...I cant tell if anyone is using my signal...cus the lights are constantly flashing cus I have like 4 pcs running at any given time, all using the windows network to some extent....

I'm too lazy to reset the security on my wireless so people can and probably are using it. I use open connections when I'm out but it's never for long, a few minutes maybe.

well some states are making this illegal, cause isp's are complaining thats its theft of service... i don't necessarily agree with it.. like you guys, but at the same time if a user for whatever reason doesn't secure it, who says you have permission to use it? kinda like the guy on the site says, because you leave your keys in the car and the doors unlock is it still Grand theft auto? you basically were welcoming it.. and yes its still grand theft auto. so in a essence your still stealing something that isn't rightfully yours.. you were not given specific permissions to use it.... but what this really comes down to... is the isp the wirless network is on... say your neighbor is on comcast, and you are also on comcast, if the network is unsecure what difference does it make whose you choose to use your both still paying for it, but lets say for example your on comcast, and your neighbor is on att dsl.. comcast goes down so you use att, but you don't pay for att service... is that theft of service? i think so.

I disagree with that complety, the internet at airports is unsecured and people use it, and they don't get in trouble.

how would the ISP's go about finding out who is sharing an internet connection?
if your neighbor comes running out of his front door towards you car, you can shut the wireless switch off on your laptop and stuff it under your seat

if he asks why youre parked infront of his house, just say "my engine died but it seems to be working OK now"

Excuse me? Did I give you permission to type that all in bold?

And no, I don't consider it stealing. I don't do it, though. I tried with my PSP to see if I could get a signal but I just found a bunch of protected weak links.