WiFi connections

[denis567]

Is it illegal to connect my wifi laptop to a unsecured local network?

[squarebear]

I don't see how. You haven't cracked any passwords or security to gain access.
More fool them for leaving it open.

[MarkRae]

Without the owner's permission, yes. If you do so, you are stealing their bandwidth.

[MarkRae]

SB, you can't possibly be serious! If someone leaves their front door open and you walk in and help yourself to the contents of their house, you seriously haven't committed any crime..?

[squarebear]

Actually when you put it like that yes you are right.

[RATTER15]

Im fairly sure it is illegal, theft of download time, the person that is paying that bill may go over his allowance, almost certainly illegal.

[MarkRae]

http://www.theregiste...8/10/30/wi_fi_arrest/

[Gromit]

Stephen Fry used to amble about in his taxi looking for unsecured wifi hotspots when dongles and mobile data plans were expensive.

[Bigeye74]

So it isn't illegal then. If no hacking has taken place, no crime has been committed.

[murraymints]

you will be stealing someone elses time surely ?? paid for etc..you could also be downloading improper material...and let this other person suffer any consequences...don't risk it !

[Bigeye74]

the whole reason for encrypting your access point is to secure it. If it is unsecured you cannot stop someone from using it. It could be someone stood outside of your house with an iphone. As for downloading dodgy content the police would soon work out that it wasn't the router owner that did it.