Stealing Internet

**isukendall** · 04-02-2009, 12:37 AM

An ethical question for everyone: Is using a non-secured wireless internet signal stealing?

I moved into a new place last September. Snooped around for a signal, but everyone had security. Just noticed the other night that my work laptop picks up a non-security signal when I'm in my kitchen, pretty much the only window that faces south. So I moved my desktop to the kitchen. I would not be posting right now if not for that.

I'm sure some will say this is definitely considered "stealing" (especially considering the thread title). However, I've talked to many people who figure they won't secure the connection in case others want to use it, it's no big deal as long as you're not robbing all their bandwidth.

Just curious what others think.

**IcSyU** · 04-02-2009, 12:42 AM

Legally: Yes, it is against the law.

My take: If they aren't smart enough to secure it, it's game. 99% of the time, if they can't secure it, they can't tell you who is on it.

**Me State** · 04-02-2009, 01:09 AM

I don't secure mine. Feel free to steal it.

**maui6651** · 04-02-2009, 02:08 AM

As long as you aren't downloading anything big and saturating the connection, but rather just doing everyday browsing, I don't see a problem with it. I avoid banking or anything similar over an open connection, but otherwise, why not? I'll just throw out the phrase "victimless crime" and hope that someone disagrees.

**clonerules** · 04-02-2009, 02:44 AM

I actually told a few neighbors of mine to feel free to not support Mediascam....and use mine...

**tysforcy** · 04-02-2009, 04:23 AM

Originally Posted by clonerules

I actually told a few neighbors of mine to feel free to not support Mediascam....and use mine...

your a god among men, there should be more neighbors like you(applause)

**isunorth** · 04-02-2009, 05:13 AM

In progress

**Scott34** · 04-02-2009, 05:40 AM

I am currently using an unsecured network for our internet as well. Where we live there are actually 3 different networks that we are able to use but only one has a real good connection. We did however go ahead and get our own wireless internet(just not set up yet) because there are times its so slow and sometimes there is no connection.

**iowast8fan** · 04-02-2009, 06:18 AM

Originally Posted by isukendall

An ethical question for everyone: Is using a non-secured wireless internet signal stealing?

I moved into a new place last September. Snooped around for a signal, but everyone had security. Just noticed the other night that my work laptop picks up a non-security signal when I'm in my kitchen, pretty much the only window that faces south. So I moved my desktop to the kitchen. I would not be posting right now if not for that.

I'm sure some will say this is definitely considered "stealing" (especially considering the thread title). However, I've talked to many people who figure they won't secure the connection in case others want to use it, it's no big deal as long as you're not robbing all their bandwidth.

Just curious what others think.

First of all, yes it is stealing.

Second, if you are the one leaving yours unsecure and someone else decides to "borrow" your signal...anything they do illegally would be traced back to you. If they are distributing child porn, it can be traced back to you.

**cyco2000** · 04-02-2009, 06:46 AM

Is it OK to steal an old lady's money even though she doesn't miss it or know about it?

**dosry5** · 04-02-2009, 06:46 AM

It's stealing. If you leave your garage unsecured would you have a problem with someone borrowing your tools? Just as long as they don't take them all?

I'd be ticked if I was paying for MediaCON (I am) and my neighbor wasn't paying but was getting the same service on my dime. I know, there'll be plenty of you out there that say they wouldn't or don't care if someone uses there signal....but that doesn't make it right.

**Cyclonepride** · 04-02-2009, 06:50 AM

When I was younger, I had the son of my landlord living upstairs from me, and he kept hooking up a splitter to my cable line and running it up to his part of the house. After disconnecting it three times, I went outside, grabbed the cable, and yanked it right out of his window. Not sure what that did to his tv, but he didn't hook up again.

I don't like the idea on principle, though I will admit to connecting to a random business or two when I had no other means of checking my email on the road.

**pulse** · 04-02-2009, 06:56 AM

Its a free hot spot for the public, why else would it be there.

**CyinCo** · 04-02-2009, 07:08 AM

Originally Posted by clonerules

I actually told a few neighbors of mine to feel free to not support Mediascam....and use mine...

What if one of your neighbors decides to do something illegal with your connection? Couldn't that put you into an ugly game of finger pointing?

Hypothetical, yes. But something to think about.

**HOTDON** · 04-02-2009, 07:11 AM

Originally Posted by Cyclonepride

I don't like the idea on principle, though I will admit to connecting to a random business or two when I had no other means of checking my email on the road.

That's why I leave mine open. If I spend a night with a relative without a connection, I'll try to leech a signal to check email, etc. I'm paying it forward.