Brits: We'll lock up Wi-Fi freeloaders

It can only be theft if

It can only be theft if there is a loss to the owner. If somebody uses a bit of my internet bandwidth while I am not using it up, I have had no loss, therefore there is no theft.

Reply to Anonymous, Fri,

Reply to Anonymous, Fri, 08/24/2007 - 3:45am

Spot on mate. If I am in my house and my neighbor invades my living space with his/her radio-wave invitations (SSID broadcasts) to their wireless network, then what!?

Vendors need to make it so a wireless router cannot be configured without at least WEP or comparable security. But of course all the blame is placed on the computer illiterate who set the router up or the freeloader. I have had my laptop search and connect to an unsecure wireless network without even intervening to make the connection--fully automated. As usual, the lawmakers are out of step and out of touch with reality in the IT world.

Regardless of whether it is

Regardless of whether it is stealing or not, one of the dangers I don't hear a lot of discussion about is what do you do if the Wi-Fi Freeloader does something illegal (such as child porn). If it is detected by the authorities and tracked, it will be the public IP address of YOUR router that they will find.

The person that actually did the illegal deed is long gone and you are the one that the authorities will investigate. I am not sure I would like to be caught in such a circumstance.

I think that everyone who

I think that everyone who doesn't want to share their wireless network should have security enabled, and/or the SSID broadcast disabled.

If the person with the wireless network WANTS to share it to the world, the least they could do is change the SSID to "Wide Open", or "Use me!" or something along those lines.

I can't imagine the kind of

I can't imagine the kind of access mentioned in these messages where one has to pay extra for using "extra" bandwith. There is no way to do that on my Comcast broadband account. I can't even figure out how it could be accomplished.

BIG Brother lives !!! UK,

BIG Brother lives !!! UK, USA, etc.

doesn't matter where u r in the world. the COPS want u for some thing or other.

First, the owner/user is responsible to secure the network. money laying on the street is free dough.

Second, is there a second???

Why don't the freakin'

Why don't the freakin' idiots just secure their network.....DUH! You can hook up a computer, entire network and everything, but you can't turn on the security. I think there's an instruction manual that comes with routers....once again....DUH! If you leave your signal open, too bad! That's like saying that you have claimed channel 10 on the CB Radio, and anyone thats on there is in trouble. Unsecured, unscrambled open air is OPEN AIR...Get It!

My understanding is that

My understanding is that many subscribers, restaurants, airports, motels, and private individuals have chosen to have open access. With that in mind, it is generally assumed that an unsecured wireless network is an open invite. Those who want to keep their point private generally will secure them. I used my neighbors' until I investigated and learned about wireless, then I got my own and I leave it open for others to use. If an abuse problem develops then I have the option of going secure. The best of both worlds. Is this a great country or what?

Of course it's stealing if

Of course it's stealing if you deliberately attempt to use someone else's resources without their permission. It may be petty, negligible, or not worth chasing down, but its still stealing and the man or woman who pirates someone else's bandwidth needs to face that simple fact. If your conscience tells you that stealing, no matter the net worth, is wrong, then maybe you need to reconsider whether you ought to be performing this little white theft.

The analogy about the worm in the garden or the bird in the tree breaks down because of this simple fact; a human being is not a worm or a bird, supposedly a human being understands such abstract principles as property rights and theft--and that bandwidth must be paid for by someone. Neither birds nor worms understand that.

One could also make a strong claim that birds or worms will never be able to use bandwidth. Not only that, but I've known property owners who trap vermin in whatever shape they come for eating the fruit of their gardens, and that seems appropriate to me. Too bad we can't shoot bandwidth pirates.

I will be honest. If some total stranger walked up to my door, knocked and requested polite permission to use my bandwidth to check his email or to use it for some other good reason, I would be eager to help him. But if that same stranger just simply assumes that he has a right to it, then in my mind he is no better than a scumbag who steals pension checks from old ladies, and I want him prosecuted.

500 pounds is about 1200 US dollars, is it not? Sounds about right for such ilk.