| Author | Thread |
|
|
12/16/2008 04:45:01 PM · #26 |
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
Originally posted by aliqui:
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Originally posted by NstiG8tr:
Originally posted by anotherday:
people that do not want to share, they should block the access. |
Mine is blocked. Not because I'm selfish or anything but mainly because my one neighbor is an asshole and I don't want him accessing it. Whether he has the capability or not, I don't know. If it wasn't for him I wouldn't mind if the neighbors used it. |
Would you mind if your surfing speed was reduced to a crawl because your neighbors were streaming porn?
Mine's blocked because, well, it's mine.
When I visited my parents, I brought my laptop and when I turned it on, it locked onto a wifi signal that was open. I just assumed that it was my dad's. It wasn't. I noticed that there was a computer I could access on this network and I again assumed that it was my Dad's so I opened it to look for a file. After looking around a bit, it was obvious that this wasn't my dad's computer. Had I been malicious, I could have taken everything. Instead, I created a text file, containing a warning about leaving computers on a network unsecured, explaining my accidental access and a few things I could have done. Then I made 200 copies of the file, dumped them on the computer's desktop and signed off. Then I asked my dad the password for his network and trespassed no more. I did notice that the unsecured network was no longer unsecured the next day. |
While it was nice of you to warn them about their vulnerability, you probably should have just walked next door and told them in person rather than continuing your intrusion once you had realized it wasn't your Dad's. Maybe help them set up a secure network. You may have traumatized the poor people, heh. |
Not only that, Spaz, I think you are guilty of both stealing WiFi AND hacking. I think you should turn yourself in. |
As long as they don't find out about all the other stuff... |
|
|
|
12/16/2008 04:51:24 PM · #27 |
my car died today too. I live in the SF bay area and it RARELY snows here but it did today in the higher elevations and I had just gotten all bundled up and ready to drive up into the mountains to take snow pics and...my car won't start. AAARRRRRGGGGHHHHHH!!! In my case I just need a new battery but I'm soooo sad I can't take pretty snow pics *sobs*
|
|
|
|
12/18/2008 09:32:05 AM · #28 |
It all comes down to the Laws of the land, In most places, If you jump in the pool you are trespassing, If you use the wireless you are stealing. I think a year in jail is a bit much and it should not be a felony. However if you need it to stop there has to be some kind of punishment issued, Maybe a heafty fine, $200.00 or something like that would be enough.
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
Originally posted by Bugzeye:
on another point: I can see the hotels point of view. They wouldn't want you to jump into their pool just because it is there. |
I think that's an appropriate analogy IF there was no sign posted saying "Guests Only" (assuming the WiFi has no such warning or EULA either), but here is a key question: is it a FELONY to jump in the pool and punishable with a year in jail??? Ridiculous. |
|
|
|
|
12/18/2008 10:07:58 AM · #29 |
This law probably stems from some laws in-acted a number of years ago that didn't even have to do with computers. :D
One that I remember was of people getting free electricity from the power company (I think this was back during the California hippy days when those that lived off the land didn't want to pay for anything... hmm, I think their kids grew up and became Democrats.). Anyone that knows how electircity and transformers work, know that you can put a coil of wire up next to another wire that has electricity running through it and part of the electrical energy will transfer over to the coil of wire. That's what they people were doing, they were getting electrcity free by creating a transformer effect from the high power lines onto their own lines. I think so many people were doing it that they caused enough of a power drain on the system that it was noticed by the power company and they sent people out to check their lines. If I remember right, when it went to court it was argued that it was just like radio waves and since it radiated around the power lines, it was free for anyone to use. It didn't quit fly because it was shown that it did affect the power system and those that did pay for it.
The other case I remember has to do with cable TV when cable TV was first starting to get wide spread. People found out that a lot of the cable TV repeaters leaked a usable signal that could be captured if you had the right equipment. Those that knew how to build it, had a great time watching cable TV. It was when people started building the receivers and selling them that laws started getting passed to stop this kind of activity and made it illegal to take cable signals without paying for it. For those of us that were Ham Radio operators and shortwave listeners, those leaking cable TV repeaters were a real pain and we had to get the FCC after the companies to start cleaning them up as it was causing radio interference, which was already against the law.
I also remember something about snagging satellite signals, but I think that's still classified and I can't talk about it. But it's not legal either. ;D
While snagging a WiFi signal could be considered the same as listening to the radio, the fact is, when you do, you are using someone elses bandwidth that they are paying for. You are affecting their ability to use it. If it was just like a radio signal, it would probably only be a minor crime. But because you are taking something tangable, just like stealing a car or robbing a home, it's more serious. If you have wireless at home or work and notice that your bandwidth is really slowing down and you can't tell why, check to see if anyone is tapping into your system and using it.
Mike
Message edited by author 2008-12-18 10:09:17.
|
|
|
|
12/18/2008 10:17:39 AM · #30 |
It is stupid I agree. The correct thing to do would be to set a password each morning, or even each week and have employees/clerks/etc write it on the receipt that way only paying customers can use the free-wifi. When I went to Gainesville every network I found was password protected like it should be.
I remember two things that preceded the recent law. One I believe was Starbucks providing free wifi, and people would just park outside and use their connection without buying anything and fill up the small parking lot. Instead of doing it correctly they whined to Washington, which understands the difference between wifi and nuclear missiles like it understands the difference between truth and lies.
Second were computer illiterate wifi users who failed to set passwords on their home wifi allowing anyone to just hop on and use their connection anonymously. At the time most wifi routers came with blank passwords or known defaults like PASSWORD, or BRANDNAME. If the companies would have just set the router to not work without a password, it would have forced owners to learn how to actually use the things.
But yeah, it is illegal in the US. At the moment it appears the actual penalties vary by state, with some setting it at 5 years and a $10,000 fine, others treat it more rationally at only $500 and $300 fines. |
|
|
|
12/18/2008 10:18:54 AM · #31 |
Originally posted by MikeJ:
This law probably stems from some laws in-acted a number of years ago that didn't even have to do with computers. :D
... |
Actually, I think most of the laws have to do with "unauthorized access to a computer system", which is basically the same as hacking.
That's not to say I necessarily agree that accessing wi-fi should necessarily be a felony, but the laws have a hard time keeping up with technology. |
|
|
|
12/18/2008 10:23:38 AM · #32 |
This company has a good idea : //www.fon.com/en/
Share some of your wi-fi bandwidth with other members if they're in your area. And you can get paid a commission if a new customer connects to your access point and signs-up. |
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 10/05/2025 03:54:12 PM EDT.
