Is it Illegal?

[Nli.]

Is it Illegal to connect to an unsecured network without the owners permission?

See, I'm at my dad's house and he doesn't have internet and I was really bored. My little wireless icon thingy was flashing saying I've got wireless networks in the area. So I looked and there was a unsecure one so I connected to it lol. I was just wondering if it's illegal? but I guess it's there own fault.

[Swearwolf]

think it is yeah lol

[buttons]

well yeh i'm guessing if you use it all the time cause it's them that's paying for the internet n whatever i think?

[BeanEgg]

Well there isn't a law that I'm aware of; but I think it would be considered as theft.

Edit: Possibly Computer Misuse Act (1990)

[Recursion]

Yes it is illegal. Point blank, no arguments.

It's called Piggybacking.

[Nli.]

Oh right, ah well. How'd they trace it anyways?

[Ardemax]

they could see who was on their network

[Stephen!]

They could see the name of the computer which is connected. That's about it.

[BeanEgg]

They could see the name of the computer which is connected. That's about it.

Yes indeed. Only problem is, if they know who it is, police can get a warrant to cease the PC and what not.

We say: Don't do it! :P

[Nli.]

Ahh well it's not like I'm going to bring my laptop to my dad's ever again. And he doesn't have any PC's here. :P

[GommeInc]

I'm so glad I live in the middle of no-where :P As long as you don't download heaps of stuff causing their network to slow down, they may not think to look for you. It just depends if whoever they are like to check in on their network panel. I hate people who get all protective about how they think it is right to use another persons network, but thankfully you're being all calm about it :P

[Moh]

I don't think its illegal to connect to their network, as its their own fault that they did not put a password on their wireless.

However, I think it is illegal to use their bandwidth. So if you connect to their wireless and don't connect to the internet and use bandwidth, your on the right side of the law :)

But what the hell, the only thing they will do is kick you off the wireless :)

[AgnesIO]

I've done it before, and you'll find a lot of computer people/electricians that go to other peoples houses, if they are waiting for someone to turn up, they will sit in there van and connect to a wireless internet source!

[PoizZoNxX]

You shouldn't really do it, but if you are not doing anything unlawful then I'm sure they wouldn't mind. Halve of the time they wouldn't even know about it anyway as it doesn't bring a dramatic effect to it. Even if you do get caught, it's undoubtful that they'll take it futher, if they are just your average casual net users.

[redtom]

If it's open then its most likely they don't have a clue what they are doing, so they wont check there network and will never know if you do use it.

[Swinkid]

Oh right, ah well. How'd they trace it anyways?
I don't think they can trace. Apart from the router ip

for example.

Master pc (plugged into router in slot 1. private ip will be like):

192.168.2.1

So your private ip would be like.

192.168.2.X

And they can see ur computer name and mac address.

[Jack.Lfc]

Well if they dont have a password on there router its likely they are thick. So they wont what all the ip stuff means.

[Nli.]

@the above, yeah that's true.
anyways, thanks for all the answers. I guess I'll just carryon using it. I only used it for myspace though lol. But im back on my 'legal' secure, password protected internet now. :)

[HotelUser]

It may be illegal, but just do it anyways:P

If you really hate them, you can even torrent on their network;)

[Nli.]

Lol. I think I was downloading something from TPB anyways whilst I was there :) didn't realise :)

[Mario]

Nothings illegal if you don't get caught.

[Recursion]

Nothings illegal if you don't get caught.

How does that work?

Thats like saying if you illegally download something and don't get caught then its legal :|

[Nli.]

So if I went out and stabbed someone and didn't get caught I'm not breaking the law?

[fweggy]

It is illegal, mainly because once your in someones network, you can hack into their whole system as (if you somehow find out password or hax) you can access other computers on the network

[HotelUser]

How does that work?

Thats like saying if you illegally download something and don't get caught then its legal :|

So if I went out and stabbed someone and didn't get caught I'm not breaking the law?

I'm pretty sure he didn't mean literally :eusa_wall

[Recursion]

Its quite hard to tell sarcasm without being able to hear the tone of voice or see the face... both of which cannot be done over a forum ;)

XD

[PoizZoNxX]

Its quite hard to tell sarcasm without being able to hear the tone of voice or see the face... both of which cannot be done over a forum ;)

XD
Sarcasm can easily be read over a forum.

[Recursion]

No it cannot.

Believe me... there are some ignorant people around here.

[Lelouch]

I always do it.
I'm doing it right now tbh.

[Nli.]

Its quite hard to tell sarcasm without being able to hear the tone of voice or see the face... both of which cannot be done over a forum ;)

XD
I wasn't being sarcastic towards you, the other guy who said it's not illegal if you dont get caught. But I guess he was being sarcastic too.

[GommeInc]

How does that work?

Thats like saying if you illegally download something and don't get caught then its legal :|
Meh, could be like rape - it's not rape if you enjoy it ;) Though the idea of violently assulating someone and it being legal when no-one knows is enjoyable :D Sarcasm or not! :D

[Diablo10]

Morally, it's incorrect since it's just like stealing other people's bandwidth. But not sure if the law actually say it's illegal

[tm]

It is definitely illegal. It is defined as illegal in UK law under 2 acts:

The computer misuse act 1990/06 (as someone thought it would above).
The argument here is that you are accessing someone else's computer hardware. ie. their router without permission.

The Communications Act 2003.
This has very specific wording for this exact matter.

"a person who (a) dishonestly obtains an electronic communications service, and (b) does so with intent to avoid payment of a charge applicable to the provision of that service, is guilty of an offence".

People have been arrested, charged and fined (approx £500) for stealing unsecured wireless internet in the UK.
http://itn.co.uk/news/1112943368020a45ac5052f568ddbde1.html

[awelsh]

If its not protected I doubt they even know, I use some other persons wireless to torrent becuase their connection is better than ours :P their own fault for not securing anything.

Plus ive renamed my laptop to DEFAULT too, so they have no clue lol

[Oleh]

:o, if i was older, i could get my next door neighbour fined, cheeky bugger was on my network for a while, till i shut him out with a good old WPA and mac filter :)