Steal WiFi, go to jail

[iago]

http://www.cfra.com/headlines/index.asp?cat=1&nid=37275

For some of you who I know feel ok about stealing somebody else's wireless signal, here's a story about a guy who got caught and thrown in jail (or something). 

[Ergot]

I blame Microsoft, their OS automatically connected me to the best Wireless connection without my knowledge. Hell, I thought free internet came with XP.

[MyndFyre]

I blame Microsoft, their OS automatically connected me to the best Wireless connection without my knowledge. Hell, I thought free internet came with XP.

You evidently don't use Windows, because it forces you to choose a wireless network the first time you use your wireless card or any time it doesn't find a previously-used wireless connection.

For example, I have the wifi network "PavezaHome" in my house.  I also pick up my neightbor's signal, "1YOBABYSAM".  The first time I run a wireless card, it prompts me to pick one.  If I disconnected my wireless router and turned it off, it wouldn't automatically connect to "1YOBABYSAM".

It was a cute stab at Windows, but ultimately failed.

[Quik]

I blame Microsoft, their OS automatically connected me to the best Wireless connection without my knowledge. Hell, I thought free internet came with XP.

You evidently don't use Windows, because it forces you to choose a wireless network the first time you use your wireless card or any time it doesn't find a previously-used wireless connection.

For example, I have the wifi network "PavezaHome" in my house.  I also pick up my neightbor's signal, "1YOBABYSAM".  The first time I run a wireless card, it prompts me to pick one.  If I disconnected my wireless router and turned it off, it wouldn't automatically connect to "1YOBABYSAM".

It was a cute stab at Windows, but ultimately failed.

I believe that's the older version of XP's wireless connecting utilities. I know that the newest one can connect you to the strongest signal without your knowledge, if it's unsecured.

[MyndFyre]

I believe that's the older version of XP's wireless connecting utilities. I know that the newest one can connect you to the strongest signal without your knowledge, if it's unsecured.

SP2 never auto-connects to unsecured networks for me unless I've been on them before.

[iago]

An ignorant person (and yes, there are one or two of those) could easily click their way into using their neighbour's without any trouble.

(I can easily connect to my neighbour on Linux too, incidentally.  This isn't an OS thing)

[Blaze]

If I watch someones TV for a second through a window in my house, should I go to jail?

[Quik]

I believe that's the older version of XP's wireless connecting utilities. I know that the newest one can connect you to the strongest signal without your knowledge, if it's unsecured.

SP2 never auto-connects to unsecured networks for me unless I've been on them before.

It's tied into some setting, default (iirc) makes it 'default' to most powerful unsecured connection on the list of priority connections.

They are doing this to spread awareness about wardriving and counteract the abuses of insecure wireless networks that people with a little intelligence use (instead of their own) to do any illegal activities they plan to do, and thus hold no responsibility. That's just one of the many risks you run when administrating an insecure wireless network.

[iago]

If I watch someones TV for a second through a window in my house, should I go to jail?

Good analogy, but flawed.  Gaining unauthorized access to somebody's wireless network is no different than gaining access to it from the Internet.  You're still breaking into their network.  A better analogy would be, "If I walk into somebody's house and look around because their front door is open, should I go to jail?"