No, I am not on anyone’s LAN. It does not matter at all if they have file sharing on or not. I can see only the name of their router, absolutely nothing about their computer at all. Often, open routers have the factory default name, like linksys. All that tells me is what brand of router someone, of several hundred people in range, bought and is using. It tells me zero more, and as far as I know, does not make hacking into that persons computer easier. But I am not a hacker, so take that with a grain of salt.
Do you know the difference between connecting to a wireless router and a LAN (local Area Network). Connecting to someone’s router I would have as much access to their computer as I would half a world away logging in at a internet cafe.
The danger of using an unsecured unencrypted network is the possibility that someone could intercept your transmissions and gain whatever information you happen to be typing into the internet.
Anything involving credit card information etc. I will do on either a secure (encrypted) network or just plug in my ethernet cable (when I am not up here)
edit: I guess FLT beat me to it
Depending on their router setup being connected to their wifi network actually does put you on their LAN and does in fact give you access to their computers even if you aren’t looking to have access to them. Again it depends also on whether or not the computers are set up for file sharing are not. Many people’s computers are set to defaults, and that will often include having file sharing active. Of course without their password you probably only see their public folder. Do a search for connected servers while you are on the network and see what shows up. Although now with most people using laptops you would only see their computers when they were using them. Ignorance is bliss I guess, but it doesn’t protect you from prosecution.
You might be able to argue against prosecution on the grounds that you don’t understand the nature of what you are doing. But the antenna still shows intent to use other people’s wifi networks without permission. If you were only using networks you knew you were authorized to use you wouldn’t need a 20 foot antenna.
But again, spend the time to figure out whose networks you’re using. Some of them may be glad to share and there is no ethical or legal concerns.
Tell me the Law
I can’t say I have no intention, my antenna is high and visible from the street. I wish pot growing was legal, but I don’t grow a pot plant on top of a 20 foot pole in full view of all passerby.
You sir, cannot quote a law that says getting internet access from an unsecured wireless router is illegal. That is because it is legal. It is the default setup of the equipment. I make no attempt to hide what I am doing because I will not be arrested for legal behavior. The fear of prosecution is your ignorant fantasy sir.
Also, I am with Sask in noting your ignorance of the difference between LAN’s and wireless routers. You just don’t know what you are writing about. Do you have any experience using wireless computer gear?
You are on their WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network). This can be proved by tracing the string of IP addresses your packets pass to get to and from the Internet locations you’re visiting. They all pass through your (unknown) neighbor’s hardware.
I think, in general, you’re in a legal gray area. Like talking on cell phones while driving (if it hasn’t been outlawed in your area) or like riding unicycles on public roads. Enjoy it while it lasts and don’t give Comcast a dime! 
Right. But as long as we’re no longer talking about ethics, and feel the light has accepted the risk of prosecution, what’s the issue? Beyond “hey dude, you should probably make sure that isn’t illegal,” what’s the objection?
I fail to see where there are any ethical or legal concerns.
You’ve already asserted that any ethical concerns are “arbitrary,” and then continue to cite ethical force. Furthermore, you failed to provide any evidence that feel the light’s internet usage is even probably illegal (such as a court case where someone was prosecuted, anywhere the US). Given, it’s really in feel the light’s best interest to find this out, not yours.
Now assuming feel the light conducts no malicious activity, I must ask, would anyone prosecute feel the light? If they did, would the judge even hear it, or just throw out such an absurd case?
I am not expert enough to disagree with you
My understanding of how it works is that the wireless router is connected to a Comcast modem. I talk only to the wireless router, that then goes into the cable modem, to the internet pipes, that are a series of tubes.
I am open to being educated about the actual setup by anyone who can write clearly like they know better. My strong impression from my limited experience is I can see only the name of the router, nothing about the computer or it’s owner. I believe you must study real “hacking” to see more then that. Anyway, default settings puts you on the internet for free.
The wireless router does not only connect the computer to the modem, it also connects the computers to each other. But I guess you’re going to try to deny this because it hurts your case. But on my home network my computers all can see each other. WLAN is LAN.
If you want specific cases here’s some.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9722006-7.html
here’s one in Florida
Precedent hasn’t been set everywhere, but a judge and jury of your peers would know from your antenna set up that your intent was to use other people’s wifi to access the internet.
It’s unlikely that the police would arrest you because they saw the antenna on your house, but if one of the people who are leeching from got smart about their connection and decided to prosecute they would have a strong case.
how strong a case ?
“Your honor, I wish to take hours of your time to explain how because I didn’t spend minutes reading my router manual, and learning how to set a pass word, this person is liable for accessing my open wireless router.” , odd case IMHO.
Points for finding a link to one actual case of someone convicted of this offense. I didn’t think that was possible, so +1 to you.
I will continue to get free internet, because it saves me 70 $/m and I live in the land of cheerful pirates.
I glanced through this thread and didn’t see this issue addressed, so:
I just wanted tell those who don’t know that the Mbps-with-a-small-b that is associated with internet connection speeds is megabits per second, not megabytes (which would be MBps).
12Mb=1.5MB, so you’re using up closer to ~10% of of someone’s total available bandwidth when you download at 100KB/s (=0.1MBps).
Still might not sound like much, but I bet you’re more noticeable than you think.
“Your honor, I want to explain to you, how because the man left his front door unlocked it was fine for me to wander around his house and perform questionably illegal activities. I didn’t take anything and I didn’t leave a mess, so I did nothing wrong, despite using a device I designed to specifically to give me access to a wider range of unlocked houses.”
Like I stated earlier, if you want to be a pirate be a pirate, but don’t try to argue as if it’s perfectly acceptable behavior.
I’m posting to help people stay online cheap
My advices are aimed at the OP, and others who can’t afford internet. You can stay connected, for free. Here is how, I hope it helps.
Good luck, it is true the Corp lock may shut this down. Always a bit behind the curve, they will do what they can to lock down the internet. LOL, it is a jump from one free lunch to the next. Napster to Kazaa, to bit torrent. We need to communicate and share info freely. Anything less is just corporate control. Fuck the machine, we live LOL!
If you really wanted to fuck the machine you could be the one to share the wealth instead of mooching it from others. Again it’s not comcast that you are stealing from. Many forward thinking municipalities do consider internet access a right and are providing it for their citizens until that happens get on that wave, talk to your neighbors and your city council. I’m all for making internet access a public utility.
But if you really want to stick to Comcast set up a legal connection via someone other company and share it as you please (within the limits of your contract). Put a 20 ft antenna on your router and name your network “Feel the Light’s Free Community Internet”. Talk to your neighbors give them permission to be on your network and encourage them to drop their own comcast connections.
But that clearly isn’t your goal. Your motives are entirely selfish. It’s easier to be a leech than an agent of proactive change.
Selfish leaches tend not to share their fish
And try not to swear on the forums, you never know what kid may be picking up wifi and looking at this.
His choice of words not mine. But you’re right I could have chosen not to repeat it.
Also he wasn’t sharing his fish. Only informing others how to be a leech as well.
The difference between you and me, is I am showing forum members how to get free internet now. You are full of shit about how if they became all politically active and jumped through a dozen hoops, they could get free internet in future years. Fuck you and all the corporate lackeys that shill with you.
My post is directed to the OP. It is trivial to obtain free internet from open wireless points, now, you get that! ? now. I am not making a buck by pointing this out. You can do this now, without hacking anything or breaking any laws. If this info helps you, I am glad.
What I am saying is if you get a great wireless USB card and put it high up in the air, in the city, you will get free internet access through a choice of many open unsecured wireless routers. Maybe some of you might like to know that. My only feeling of guilt is I never told you guys about it sooner.
Not true. As I’ve already shown it is illegal and you can get caught and charged. There very well could be legal ramifications. It is theft, it is mooching. Let others make an informed decision on whether or not they think it is ethical to pilfer services from other people without permission.
If you want to encourage others to do it at least give them all the information and let them know the risks they are taking instead of denying the facts.
The facts
State of Florida. Today, several million people accessing internet through unsecured “internet hot spots”. Police yawn, have yet to investigate or arrest anyone. Proceed at your own risk.
You clearly stated that it’s not breaking the law. Just because the police don’t enforce a portion of law doesn’t mean it isn’t illegal.
And I did send you an article earlier where police in Florida did actually arrest someone so even the “fact” you present here is not accurate.
I used to have dial-up until last year. This was out at my dads house, which is somewhat in the middle of the woods, where no cable or dsl was available. I remember Qwest coming in and installing a bunch of lines, but not far enough that we could use them. So we were on dial-up, using very old phone lines.
It wasnt bad actually, websites loaded pretty quick, and the only problems I had with it were large downloads. I utilized p2p networking so it really didnt bother me much as I could start and stop the download any time I wanted.
Now we have satellite out there, which is a huge improvement.
In town I had DSL, but have had comcast for a few years now. If youre a bit ‘in their face’ you can keep getting great deals instead of paying hundreds a month.
I control the modem and the router, and I have wireless on for my dads laptop, and dont mind people using my wireless. I just allow a very weak signal to go outside the range of our house. Anyone who wants to be using my signal can, but it will be like they are using dial-up.