Is it illegal to connect to an unsecured network?

[newtekie1]

If you say so...but let me ask you, have you worked for an ISP? If the router was provided by an ISP. I can guarantee thier firmware keeps track(unless you change settings), and even better, the provisioning tables within the ISP's records keep track...

If the router was provided by an ISP, I can guarantee you it had some form of encryption enabled on the wireless, even it was 64-bit WEP, it would not come to the customer unprotected.

Now most consumer level routers, which are the most likely source of an open WiFi network, only store the MAC address as long as the IP lease is valid, then deletes it. There is a MAC address switching table in the router that might store it longer, but there is no way for a user to access this via the interface of the router.

 

[ShiBDiB]

If you say so...but let me ask you, have you worked for an ISP? If the router was provided by an ISP. I can guarantee thier firmware keeps track(unless you change settings), and even better, the provisioning tables within the ISP's records keep track...

D-link modems, for one, keep IP/MAC logs until the internal memory is full, and then write over old entries(although this can be turned off). However, because most router's don't get many connections on the LAN side, they hardly ever re-write this bit of memory.

The issue at hand is that the OP has no way of knowing what type of router, or even where the rotuer is located, so it must be considered more than possible...In fact, I can pull out any of my older gateways form teh past 10 years(I have 6 now), and each and every one of them has full listings, and my current MediaShow gateway has no way to remove these listings either.


FYI, I'm always also one of the first to get new services from my provider. That bandwidth you see in my sig is only that low due to having 6 PVR's on my connection, and they are "always on" type STB's(they are always on the ensure TV works the moment you "turn on" the box). I challenge you to find another Telus ADSL customer anywhere in Canada with the same speeds...because it's only available in my immediate neighbourhood.

From personal knowledge fiddling with peoples routers and modems, I've yet to see one that transmits more then the overall usage (up/down) back to an ISP. The mac may be stored in a log temporarily but those things r constantly overwritten and replaced by new info.

Now if you suddenly started seeing a HUGE spike in traffic from one user then ya sure they could probably go look and see wtf is up.

 

[cadaveca]

If the router was provided by an ISP, I can guarantee you it had some form of encryption enabled on the wireless, even it was 64-bit WEP, it would not come to the customer unprotected.

Now most consumer level routers, which are the most likely source of an open WiFi network, only store the MAC address as long as the IP lease is valid, then deletes it.

I wish. I must digress, maybe it's that way with your provider, but I can guarantee that Comcast does no such thing...'cause Comcast contracts out all installs( so such things are dependant on the contractor, and how helpfull they actually feel at that moment)...and I could tell you TONNES of dirt about Comcast.

I mean, you guys could be right, some modems/routers do work that way, but not all, so you can't just dismiss the possibility.

 

[newtekie1]

I wish. I must digress, ,aybe it's that way with your provider, but I can guarantee that Comcast does no such thing...'cause Comcast contracts out all installs...and I could tell you TONNES of dirt about Comcast.

I mean ,you guys could be right, some modems do work that way, but not all, so you can't just dismiss the possibility.

My provider is Comcast:

I have comcast in both my home and business.

But I will agree, the quality of work done on the install depends greatly on the contractor you get that day. Between the two of us we probably have enough dirt to fill a dump truck...

However, the routers do come with security enabled, though I will grant you that a shitty contractor might disable it as a shortcut.

Though I've never actually seen a consumer grade* router/AP that stored MAC address indefinitely, at least not in an area the user can access.

*Yes, I consider those POS Comcast Business Gateways consumer grade.

 

[cadaveca]

However, the routers do come with security enabled, though I will grant you that a shitty contractor might disable it as a shortcut.

Though I've never actually seen a router/AP that stored MAC address indefinitely, at least not in an area the user can access.

+1 to Comcast if they are shipping out modems with security enabled, but I tell ya what, the ones you buy in the store don't..at least, not all of them.

Having worked in Camcast's NOC, i tend to know a bit more about it than the avg person. The best bit was how new accounts were screwed up...intentionally...so that the company contracted to provide tech support got more calls.

A little code in the customer's account ensured they'd only get one IP lease, and then the modem would be blocked from getting a new lease until that code was removed from the account. One little 2-letter code...that was pruposely put into the account, and did nothing but ensure only one lease was given.

Hopefully that's still not going on, but it's more than likely.:shadedshu

 

[douglatins]

OMG if this ever becomes true this is not the planet i want to live in. Although i bet Australia will be the first to make this a law

 

[theonedub]

If the router was provided by an ISP, I can guarantee you it had some form of encryption enabled on the wireless, even it was 64-bit WEP, it would not come to the customer unprotected.

Now most consumer level routers, which are the most likely source of an open WiFi network, only store the MAC address as long as the IP lease is valid, then deletes it. There is a MAC address switching table in the router that might store it longer, but there is no way for a user to access this via the interface of the router.

Please do not give all ISPs such credit I have Frontier, arguably the worst ISP ever created, and their hardware did not come with security enabled whatsoever. They don't even have the independent contractor excuse either.

 

[r9]

Only if you are caught.

 

[LAN_deRf_HA]

Just never connect to a random network without changing your mac address, problem solved.

 

[cadaveca]

Just never connect to a random network without changing your mac address, problem solved.

 

[John Phoenix]

Just never connect to a random network without changing your mac address, problem solved.

I suppose that's good advice for those who plan to connect to unsecured networks a lot.. but I have come across some info that tells you how to pinpoint the person piggybacking off your access.

" On a laptop run Kismet – or netstumber use the signal to noise ratio to pinpoint his house – once the signal is bigger than the noise you should be looking at his front porch."

The post goes on to say then, ring doorbell and punch him in the nose. LOL

So with this method, even if you change your MAC address to mask your hardware, you could still be found.

 

[Geofrancis]

if your going to TEST somones network i would suggest 3 things

1. SPOOF your mac so it cant be traced. this can also be done with jailbroken iphones/ipods
2. connect to a public VPN so packet sniffers on the network cant see what your on. you cant be too carefull
3. dont take the piss! checking you email and facebook is ok but when you start downloading multi Gb files and you go over there limit and there bills end up double what it normaly is THEY WILL NOTICE!

 

[DonInKansas]

no no they're all wrong. It's only illegal if they catch you .

So if I shoot you in the face and no one sees it it's okay?

If I leave my house door unlocked, it's still trespassing if you walk in without my consent.

 

[Geofrancis]

So if I shoot you in the face and no one sees it it's okay?

If I leave my house door unlocked, it's still trespassing if you walk in without my consent.

its more like leaving a hose pipe running and somone drinks from it. sure it was your water but are you really losing out unless they take it all.

 

[canook37]

the only wifi connections i connect to are businesses, my own, and if someone types public somewhere in the networks name xP

Other then that you are probly stealing some old couple's or illiterate users. Thats called taking advantage of.

 

[MohawkAngel]

IMO... Wireless connection is like a wallet you found in the street. If you can point out whos the wner and dont give him back then its stealing. If you advise the owner to secure it better (wallet or wireles) then youre legal and honnest plus helpful. But if you find a money wallet with no identity cards in it or not able to find whos having the wireless unsecured...then screw them you keep it. If they were stupid enough to not identify themselves then why bothering with morality?

 

[HookeyStreet]

You tapped into their WiFi for just a few minutes, dont worry about it. Now if you stayed connected for hours downloading pron, then thats a different matter

If someone was leeching onto my internet, because I didnt use any kind of security, then fairplay to them. But if someone hacked my router to gain access then they would be making a date with Mr .44 (after I got hold of a gun of course )

 

[Marineborn]

just claim you thought it was a hotspot and you were computer illiterate and didnt know

 

[Deleted member 24505]

In britain its a criminal offense i think.

 

[AsRock]

So if I shoot you in the face and no one sees it it's okay?

If I leave my house door unlocked, it's still trespassing if you walk in without my consent.

Not sure about the USA but there be one less charge due to it as it would not be breaking and entry as you left the door\window unlocked there fore sentence is reduced because of it and god help you if you left your key in the door lol.

 

[Mussels]

afaik its illegal... its just hard to prove who got on the network.


should you get on someone smarts network who can record MAC's and the websites you went to... well, you're screwed. they could even log your traffic/unencrypted passwords etc

short version... just dont do it unless you're a lowlife who likes taking things that dont belong to you. if you're the kind of person who returns a wallet you found only after taking out all the cash, then by all means... hop on that free wifi.

 

[TheMailMan78]

lol I need to go after ALL of my neighbors. One day I reset my router due to a lighting storm and forgot (many beers that day) to re-secure it. A few days later my connection was hell and I couldn't figure out why! Went to my routers homepage and saw my mistake but to my surprise saw 6 other connections!

What was creepy is one of my neighbors I found out has a foot/redhead fetish. My wife is a redhead and always wore sandals. After that she now wears a hat and sneakers.