"Piggybacking" NY Times

Hey Neighbor, Stop Piggybacking on My Wireless

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/05/t...&en=b635c76faa4bc29e&ei=5094&partner=homepage

Some users say they have protected their computers but have decided to keep their networks open as a passive protest of what they consider the exorbitant cost of Internet access.

"I'm sticking it to the man," said Elaine Ball, an Internet subscriber who lives in Chicago. She complained that she paid $65 a month for Internet access until she recently switched to a $20-a-month promotion plan that would go up to $45 a month after the first three months.

Interesting article touches on ethical and moral issues.

 

I saw that this morning as well. I can't say I never bummed a connection without paying. I think borrowing someone's connection on a permanent basis without offering to pay is where I would personally would draw the line. Goes to show how setting up encryption is important. The thing I would worry about is someone doing illegal stuff like porn or filesharing. Ultimately it is your name on the account.

 

Yes, your IP, your info, everything.

This is where security measures need to be brought in. Its a shame some don't know how to add security, or don't even know it exists in some cases.

 

The worst is that they rename their router and nothing else.

 

Bekin is in Compton.

 

Porn is not illegal

 

I was refering to something like child porn which I believe is illegal.

 

Good link to the article.

I go over neighbor's or people's houses all the time to do 'on-site' tech support - most of the ones who have wireless don't even bother to encrypt it. I think that next time I go to service their machine, I will encrypt it for them.

Chaz

 

The Times article reminded me that I had not been successful in finding out how to encrypt my wireless connection. I'd looked on the websites for the dsl provider and for the router, but no luck.

Figured that somebody here would know. Anybody?

 

Yes, it's wrong to steal, but if you're just surfing occasionally for information and not using up their bandwidth I think it's fine.

Not for prolonged use though, that's just stealing. I put out one of the strongest wireless signals in my area of apartments, so I'm sure someone would be onto me unless I had security up. Even with security I change my passwords and such to my router from time to time.