free internet

[rbockman]

If you take this as a personal attack it's your problem, it was not meant so.

I live in a row house in a very congested part of a major eastern city, there are numerous unsecured signals out there, there is no way to track them down other knocking on everyone's door.

If you were offended and considered my post a personal attack (it was not), maybe you need to get a life, a job so you won't have too much time on your hands for so much posting.

[KarmaKiller]

Originally Posted by rbockman

a job so you won't have too much time on your hands for so much posting.

I can tell your a little dense, so I'll help you out...

THIS IS ROB'S JOB. THIS IS WHAT HE DOES FOR A LIVING.

Now that you know that, I'll add this...

Your gonna do what you ultimately want to. But please don't stear users that have no idea about this kind of stuff down the "less immoral" road.
No matter how you phrase it, or how you irrational thought process perceives it, what you are talking about is still illegal.

You can steal internet, that's fine. But please don't try to talk others into it.

[KarmaKiller]

Originally Posted by RobRich

Good example. Your neighbors took a more responsible course of action than simply connecting without permission.

Though that is true, They couldn't have accessed it with out my WEP #. So it really was up to me.

But I have 3 other networks around my house that are unlocked, that any of them could access. But they still did ask, so that's why I let them...

[Atomic Rooster]

I find it interesting that this rbockman character joined just to defend his position of stealing/leeching of his neighbors wireless signal.

[KarmaKiller]

LOL...

Shows he does have some common sense. Let's just hope he listens to it..

[rbockman]

I, rbockman, am a 65 year old grandfather of five. I've been in the business before you guys were weaned. Even with all the unsecured networks available to me, I am using and paying for municipal WiFi. I am financially secure and need nothing for free. I would advise anyone not in my position to use the unsecured network so that someday when they are in my situation, they will do the same. It is not stealing. I dare you to document anyone prosecuted for that offence. Once more, it does seem to me that the moderator has too much time on his hands. So long and the best of luck to you guys.

[The Merg]

Originally Posted by rbockman

It is not stealing. I dare you to document anyone prosecuted for that offence.

According to the state code in VA:

18.2-152.6. Theft of computer services; penalties.

Any person who willfully obtains computer services without authority is guilty of the crime of theft of computer services, which shall be punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor. If the theft of computer services is valued at $2,500 or more, he is guilty of a Class 6 felony.

Umm, that would make it illegal. And yes, I have seen that charge prosecuted. The courts look at it that the victim is paying for bandwith in accessing the internet and a person who is unauthorized on the network is using up some of that bandwith depriving the victim the use of that bandwith.

- Merg

BTW, a Class 1 misdemeanor gets you up to 1 year in jail and/or up to a $2,500 fine.

[The Merg]

Originally Posted by rbockman

Your neighbor can lock you out any time he wants to. He is putting his signal out there, for use by anyone who wants it. It is not stealing. It is your neighbors choice.

BTW, this logic is sooooo bad. Although it might be stupid for people to put out unsecure wireless signals, that does not mean they are inviting people to use them.

That's sorta like saying, "I left my car running while I ran back into my house and when I came out it was gone". With your logic, that person is allowing someone else to use their car since they left the keys in it and it was running.

Were they dumb to do that? Yes.

Did the person who took the car steal it? Yes.

- Merg

[RobRich]

I have already mentioned the Tampa area case in a previous reply, but here is a link to the requested documentation of a prosecuted case of WiFi theft:

http://money.cnn.com/2005/07/07/tech...reless_arrest/

The WiFi thief was arrested on a third-degree felony charge, which can carry up to a five-year prison sentence in the state of Florida.

Anyone still interested in stealing WiFi in Florida?

[Admin RR]

It is stealing. It's not your connection, you're not paying for it, someone else is, therefore, it's stealing.

Now, if I need to check my email for 5 mins and I'm someplace where I can login to some random wifi network, I'd do it in a second without any thought. But I'm not going to piggyback on someone's network every day and download 50GB files...

rbockman: you're entitled to your opinion but don't attack the admins of this site or anyone else here unless you'd like to be shown the door.