Comments on: Tech Guy Gives Lesson in Security and Good Manners to Wi-Fi Stealing Lady http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2010/02/21/tech-guy-gives-lesson-in-security-and-good-manners-to-wi-fi-stealing-lady/ tech, science, news and social issues for geeks Tue, 14 Feb 2012 07:53:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Athenehttp://www.geeksaresexy.net/2010/02/21/tech-guy-gives-lesson-in-security-and-good-manners-to-wi-fi-stealing-lady/#comment-236483 Athene Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:40:00 +0000 http://www.geeksaresexy.net/?p=22780#comment-236483 Thanx! Thanx!

]]> By: Athenehttp://www.geeksaresexy.net/2010/02/21/tech-guy-gives-lesson-in-security-and-good-manners-to-wi-fi-stealing-lady/#comment-274739 Athene Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:40:00 +0000 http://www.geeksaresexy.net/?p=22780#comment-274739 Thanx! Thanx!

]]> By: underscorehttp://www.geeksaresexy.net/2010/02/21/tech-guy-gives-lesson-in-security-and-good-manners-to-wi-fi-stealing-lady/#comment-236098 underscore Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:37:00 +0000 http://www.geeksaresexy.net/?p=22780#comment-236098 Well the best way to check would be with a laptop or something, connect to your network and walk around and see where the signal drops out. If your router is indoors with the nearest contact being 7 acres away, you *should* be fine, however I was able to access my aunts neighbours WiFi and they live a fair ways out as well. Well the best way to check would be with a laptop or something, connect to your network and walk around and see where the signal drops out. If your router is indoors with the nearest contact being 7 acres away, you *should* be fine, however I was able to access my aunts neighbours WiFi and they live a fair ways out as well.

]]> By: underscorehttp://www.geeksaresexy.net/2010/02/21/tech-guy-gives-lesson-in-security-and-good-manners-to-wi-fi-stealing-lady/#comment-274738 underscore Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:37:00 +0000 http://www.geeksaresexy.net/?p=22780#comment-274738 Well the best way to check would be with a laptop or something, connect to your network and walk around and see where the signal drops out. If your router is indoors with the nearest contact being 7 acres away, you *should* be fine, however I was able to access my aunts neighbours WiFi and they live a fair ways out as well. Well the best way to check would be with a laptop or something, connect to your network and walk around and see where the signal drops out. If your router is indoors with the nearest contact being 7 acres away, you *should* be fine, however I was able to access my aunts neighbours WiFi and they live a fair ways out as well.

]]> By: Athenehttp://www.geeksaresexy.net/2010/02/21/tech-guy-gives-lesson-in-security-and-good-manners-to-wi-fi-stealing-lady/#comment-236031 Athene Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:47:00 +0000 http://www.geeksaresexy.net/?p=22780#comment-236031 In my opinion, legal or not, she was wrong in what she did. Whithout the consent of the purchaser of the WiFi her using it is stealing. I have had people on my system using the bandwidth it sure slows my system down. I have limited upload and download amounts per 24 hours and if I go over those, by downloading a game or something, my connection is slower then dial up. It's what I have to deal with by using sattilite internet out here in the country. However, what bothered me was her not caring about the stealing. She probably plugs her moblie home into her neighbors electric outlets and "borrows" phone service/cable/etc. as well. Someone is paying for her luxeries, and in this economy it's not fair to ask others, who are probably struggling also, to pay for her extras. BTW does anyone know how large a radius WiFi works around a standerd personal unit? One house/apartment building? or one block? I live in the middle of 15 acres in the country and I haven't worried about people being able to hack my system, but I'm starting to re think that. Would I be voulnerable from the road- 7 acres away, or would someone have to drive up my driveway to get the close enough to get the signal? In my opinion, legal or not, she was wrong in what she did. Whithout the consent of the purchaser of the WiFi her using it is stealing. I have had people on my system using the bandwidth it sure slows my system down. I have limited upload and download amounts per 24 hours and if I go over those, by downloading a game or something, my connection is slower then dial up. It's what I have to deal with by using sattilite internet out here in the country. However, what bothered me was her not caring about the stealing. She probably plugs her moblie home into her neighbors electric outlets and "borrows" phone service/cable/etc. as well. Someone is paying for her luxeries, and in this economy it's not fair to ask others, who are probably struggling also, to pay for her extras.

BTW does anyone know how large a radius WiFi works around a standerd personal unit? One house/apartment building? or one block? I live in the middle of 15 acres in the country and I haven't worried about people being able to hack my system, but I'm starting to re think that. Would I be voulnerable from the road- 7 acres away, or would someone have to drive up my driveway to get the close enough to get the signal?

]]> By: Athenehttp://www.geeksaresexy.net/2010/02/21/tech-guy-gives-lesson-in-security-and-good-manners-to-wi-fi-stealing-lady/#comment-274737 Athene Tue, 23 Feb 2010 13:47:00 +0000 http://www.geeksaresexy.net/?p=22780#comment-274737 In my opinion, legal or not, she was wrong in what she did. Whithout the consent of the purchaser of the WiFi her using it is stealing. I have had people on my system using the bandwidth it sure slows my system down. I have limited upload and download amounts per 24 hours and if I go over those, by downloading a game or something, my connection is slower then dial up. It's what I have to deal with by using sattilite internet out here in the country. However, what bothered me was her not caring about the stealing. She probably plugs her moblie home into her neighbors electric outlets and "borrows" phone service/cable/etc. as well. Someone is paying for her luxeries, and in this economy it's not fair to ask others, who are probably struggling also, to pay for her extras. BTW does anyone know how large a radius WiFi works around a standerd personal unit? One house/apartment building? or one block? I live in the middle of 15 acres in the country and I haven't worried about people being able to hack my system, but I'm starting to re think that. Would I be voulnerable from the road- 7 acres away, or would someone have to drive up my driveway to get the close enough to get the signal? In my opinion, legal or not, she was wrong in what she did. Whithout the consent of the purchaser of the WiFi her using it is stealing. I have had people on my system using the bandwidth it sure slows my system down. I have limited upload and download amounts per 24 hours and if I go over those, by downloading a game or something, my connection is slower then dial up. It’s what I have to deal with by using sattilite internet out here in the country. However, what bothered me was her not caring about the stealing. She probably plugs her moblie home into her neighbors electric outlets and “borrows” phone service/cable/etc. as well. Someone is paying for her luxeries, and in this economy it’s not fair to ask others, who are probably struggling also, to pay for her extras.
BTW does anyone know how large a radius WiFi works around a standerd personal unit? One house/apartment building? or one block? I live in the middle of 15 acres in the country and I haven’t worried about people being able to hack my system, but I’m starting to re think that. Would I be voulnerable from the road- 7 acres away, or would someone have to drive up my driveway to get the close enough to get the signal?

]]> By: Justinhttp://www.geeksaresexy.net/2010/02/21/tech-guy-gives-lesson-in-security-and-good-manners-to-wi-fi-stealing-lady/#comment-235583 Justin Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:51:00 +0000 http://www.geeksaresexy.net/?p=22780#comment-235583 Wow, you mean you've never heard of the term "Theft of Services"? It means that secured or unsecured you should not be utilizing the wifi of someone else without providing them with adequate remuneration. As to your FCC dictates, you've got that wrong too, there is no such thing as "public radio signals" If you want to transmit on a pre-made FCC licensed radio, great, you do that. Now go ahead and try building something that transmits in an off frequency. See You in jail. FCC regulates and licenses ALL frequencies in use in the U.S. check any radio frequency emitting device and you'll see the sticker. Wow, you mean you've never heard of the term "Theft of Services"? It means that secured or unsecured you should not be utilizing the wifi of someone else without providing them with adequate remuneration. As to your FCC dictates, you've got that wrong too, there is no such thing as "public radio signals" If you want to transmit on a pre-made FCC licensed radio, great, you do that. Now go ahead and try building something that transmits in an off frequency. See You in jail. FCC regulates and licenses ALL frequencies in use in the U.S. check any radio frequency emitting device and you'll see the sticker.

]]> By: Justinhttp://www.geeksaresexy.net/2010/02/21/tech-guy-gives-lesson-in-security-and-good-manners-to-wi-fi-stealing-lady/#comment-274736 Justin Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:51:00 +0000 http://www.geeksaresexy.net/?p=22780#comment-274736 Wow, you mean you've never heard of the term "Theft of Services"? It means that secured or unsecured you should not be utilizing the wifi of someone else without providing them with adequate remuneration. As to your FCC dictates, you've got that wrong too, there is no such thing as "public radio signals" If you want to transmit on a pre-made FCC licensed radio, great, you do that. Now go ahead and try building something that transmits in an off frequency. See You in jail. FCC regulates and licenses ALL frequencies in use in the U.S. check any radio frequency emitting device and you'll see the sticker. Wow, you mean you’ve never heard of the term “Theft of Services”? It means that secured or unsecured you should not be utilizing the wifi of someone else without providing them with adequate remuneration. As to your FCC dictates, you’ve got that wrong too, there is no such thing as “public radio signals” If you want to transmit on a pre-made FCC licensed radio, great, you do that. Now go ahead and try building something that transmits in an off frequency. See You in jail. FCC regulates and licenses ALL frequencies in use in the U.S. check any radio frequency emitting device and you’ll see the sticker.

]]> By: Chris Millshttp://www.geeksaresexy.net/2010/02/21/tech-guy-gives-lesson-in-security-and-good-manners-to-wi-fi-stealing-lady/#comment-235548 Chris Mills Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:16:00 +0000 http://www.geeksaresexy.net/?p=22780#comment-235548 It's certainly illegal here in the UK to use an open wi-fi connection unless it is a public hotspot at which one can buy access to the internet or it is given away free intentionally. It may not be illegal to listen to open radio on any frequency (I own a scanner) but bandwidth theft IS theft, and that is a criminal offence. @Lotek, to use your analogy, if someone steals from a store with no CCTV so that theft goes unnoticed, who is responsible legally. It's still the shoplifter. In this case this is theft. It's not about privacy it's about taking something without paying for it. It's certainly illegal here in the UK to use an open wi-fi connection unless it is a public hotspot at which one can buy access to the internet or it is given away free intentionally.

It may not be illegal to listen to open radio on any frequency (I own a scanner) but bandwidth theft IS theft, and that is a criminal offence.

@Lotek, to use your analogy, if someone steals from a store with no CCTV so that theft goes unnoticed, who is responsible legally. It's still the shoplifter. In this case this is theft. It's not about privacy it's about taking something without paying for it.

]]> By: Chris Millshttp://www.geeksaresexy.net/2010/02/21/tech-guy-gives-lesson-in-security-and-good-manners-to-wi-fi-stealing-lady/#comment-274735 Chris Mills Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:16:00 +0000 http://www.geeksaresexy.net/?p=22780#comment-274735 It's certainly illegal here in the UK to use an open wi-fi connection unless it is a public hotspot at which one can buy access to the internet or it is given away free intentionally.It may not be illegal to listen to open radio on any frequency (I own a scanner) but bandwidth theft IS theft, and that is a criminal offence.@Lotek, to use your analogy, if someone steals from a store with no CCTV so that theft goes unnoticed, who is responsible legally. It's still the shoplifter. In this case this is theft. It's not about privacy it's about taking something without paying for it. It’s certainly illegal here in the UK to use an open wi-fi connection unless it is a public hotspot at which one can buy access to the internet or it is given away free intentionally.

It may not be illegal to listen to open radio on any frequency (I own a scanner) but bandwidth theft IS theft, and that is a criminal offence.

@Lotek, to use your analogy, if someone steals from a store with no CCTV so that theft goes unnoticed, who is responsible legally. It’s still the shoplifter. In this case this is theft. It’s not about privacy it’s about taking something without paying for it.

]]> By: Bert JW Regeerhttp://www.geeksaresexy.net/2010/02/21/tech-guy-gives-lesson-in-security-and-good-manners-to-wi-fi-stealing-lady/#comment-235316 Bert JW Regeer Mon, 22 Feb 2010 01:47:00 +0000 http://www.geeksaresexy.net/?p=22780#comment-235316 Yes, any and all radio waves that are coming into your domicile you can legally listen in on. However, just because you are allowed to listen in on them does not mean you are allowed to send data back to change what it is sending you. As long as you are a listener you are in the clear. As soon as you start talking you are not. I've got my HAM radio license so I am legally allowed to broadcast on certain bands, however anyone picking them up may not legally transmit on those frequencies unless they too have a HAM radio license. It is illegal to listen in on certain frequencies though (900 Mhz, where cell phones are located) mainly because of the sensitive nature of the data being communicated. However no-one will be the wiser if you do so in your home. Bandwidth is something you pay for, and it is a limited resource, as soon as anyone comes along to use your bandwidth, whether you are using it all or not, they are stealing as they are now limiting the bandwidth you have available. They are using up resources you paid for. It is like someone came by and stole electricity from you. It is like bandwidth, you pay for a certain amount and now they are depriving you of resources they have paid for. Yes, any and all radio waves that are coming into your domicile you can legally listen in on. However, just because you are allowed to listen in on them does not mean you are allowed to send data back to change what it is sending you.

As long as you are a listener you are in the clear. As soon as you start talking you are not.

I've got my HAM radio license so I am legally allowed to broadcast on certain bands, however anyone picking them up may not legally transmit on those frequencies unless they too have a HAM radio license.

It is illegal to listen in on certain frequencies though (900 Mhz, where cell phones are located) mainly because of the sensitive nature of the data being communicated. However no-one will be the wiser if you do so in your home.

Bandwidth is something you pay for, and it is a limited resource, as soon as anyone comes along to use your bandwidth, whether you are using it all or not, they are stealing as they are now limiting the bandwidth you have available. They are using up resources you paid for.

It is like someone came by and stole electricity from you. It is like bandwidth, you pay for a certain amount and now they are depriving you of resources they have paid for.

]]> By: Paulhttp://www.geeksaresexy.net/2010/02/21/tech-guy-gives-lesson-in-security-and-good-manners-to-wi-fi-stealing-lady/#comment-235314 Paul Mon, 22 Feb 2010 01:44:00 +0000 http://www.geeksaresexy.net/?p=22780#comment-235314 No, Im not confusing anything. If you're arguing anything about "listening" to signals, then you're arguing a moot point because this article isn't about listening, it's about using. You seem to be confusing the subject of Leo's awesome response. No, Im not confusing anything.

If you're arguing anything about "listening" to signals, then you're arguing a moot point because this article isn't about listening, it's about using.

You seem to be confusing the subject of Leo's awesome response.

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