By Tim Ferguson, 19 November 2007 15:06
NEWS
It seems piggybacking on unsecured wireless networks shouldn't be a crime, according to a number of silicon.com readers, some of which are happy to leave their wi-fi open for others to use.
With many homes failing to adequately secure their wireless networks, computer users in the vicinity are able to use bandwidth without having to pay an ISP for the privilege.
And readers were quick to respond to a silicon.com article that reported research suggesting more than half of computer users have used wi-fi without permission.
Security from A to Z
Click on the links below to find out more...
A is for Antivirus
B is for Botnets
C is for CMA
D is for DDoS
E is for Extradition
F is for Federated identity
G is for Google
H is for Hackers
I is for IM
J is for Jaschan (Sven)
K is for Kids
L is for Love Bug
M is for Microsoft
N is for Neologisms
O is for Orange
P is for Passwords
Q is for Questions
R is for Rootkits
S is for Spyware
T is for Two-factor authentication
U is for USB sticks/devices
V is for Virus variants
W is for Wi-fi
X is for OS X
Y is for You
Z is for Zero-day
Ollie Clark, a software developer from Leeds, said: "Surely if you advertise your unsecured wireless network to people by broadcasting its name and the fact that it's unsecured, you're inviting them to use it."
He added: "If I stick a tap outside my gate with a sign on it saying 'Drinking Water' I wouldn't expect the police to arrest anyone drinking from it. Why is wireless any different?"
Another reader said: "You wouldn't leave your front door wide open when you're not standing in front of it, so why leave your wireless connections unsecured?"
And some readers said they actually keep their wi-fi deliberately unsecured for others to use.
One reader said: "I'm one of those home users that has not secured their wi-fi router (deliberately) and no one is stealing anything from me. When I need the full bandwidth for myself, I just 'throttle' other piggyback users!!"
Another reader said: "Why does everyone assume an unsecured network is that way by accident? I leave mine open just so people can use it."
This reader added: "Complaining to the police about someone 'stealing' your unsecured internet access is like complaining that your neighbours are 'stealing' from you when the smell of your rose bushes wafts into their windows."
Another reader agreed: "I leave my home wi-fi unlocked so people do have the use of it. An unsecured [wireless network] should be, by default, public and no offence committed by using it."
Another reader explained they're happy to have their wi-fi used by others partly as a "community payback for all those unsecured wi-fi networks I used on my travels before hotspots became common".
Readers didn't have much time for ISPs losing out on revenue either. One reader said: "I'm sorry, but if they're stupid enough to provide the great British public with automatically unsecured routers as part of their 'service', then it's only to be expected that anyone with an iota of initiative will think about taking advantage."
Another added: "Would it not be logical to look to the equipment suppliers/manufacturers to make the equipment secure to begin with?"
Comments
There are 5 comments. Join the discussion
1. Michael Dean
Would all of these people be happy if a broadband piggybacker downloaded, illegal and/ or obscene material using their connection? Then there are the potenial threats to the security of the data on your own machine...
Don't leave security to chance, you may regret it later, please secure your wi-fi.
2. anonymous
It's fine provided you don't mind people reducing your bandwidth (and eating into any capping of course) by online gaming, streaming videos, video chatting and skyping (using your connection as a free telephone). Whilst they're there they might as well look at any files on your computer. Alter a password or two. And of course if they've got any viruses or trojans, no doubt they'll be happy to share those with you.
3. Peter Summersgill
Of course, There's always FON...
4. Ollie Clark
In reply to Michael: I'd be about as happy as if they'd downloaded it over their own connection. If the police asked, I'd be happy to give them the logs of my WAP to show them who'd connected at the time of the offence and they can then go off and trace the MAC address.
As for the security of my network, I have a public and private access point. My local network ain't accessable from the public access point. I've checked the T+Cs of my ISP and it's fine for me to allow other people to use it.
5. Russell Henley
In reply to Ollie:
It may be ok if you have configured your wireless this way, but plenty of less technical users will simply not set security and have no logging enabled. Even you probably aren't going to log every single packet of data.
Then anyone can war-drive their network, attack their local PC's and other devices and use their wireless network for illegal purposes.