Ethical Debate: Do you leech your neighbours wireless intewe

[Laird]

After finally moving into the wireless world in the last couple of days, I picked up a DLink WR-1310 wireless G router. I already have an exisiting Linksys router, I turned this new router into a wireless AP/switch to my alread existing network. So well doing scans for my router I discovered other wireless routers.(Yeah I know big suprise!) Anyways the points of the scans were to see signal strength through out my apartment.(I have an average of 89% signal strength in all rooms) Upon scans from diffrent locations of my apartment I discovered there are like 20 wireless routers within scanning distance of my place, several of which don't even have simple WEP 64bit encryption. I am providing screenshots of these said routers in picture form(edited of course) to show how people who are not computer savy shouldn't use new technologies. So the question is how many of you with wireless devices leech on your neighbours stupity/lazyness? If you do, how do you justify it? Do you inform your neighbour.

Scan from the middle of my apartment.(for reference, my router is the one marked "Durandal".)


Scan from the west section of my apartment.


Scan from the east section of my apartment.


I voted other, since I have dialdown as my back if my cable goes down.

[Laird]

Consideration for the users that got scanned.

[Vendetta]

No, I don't.

And my router is set up with both WPA-PSK authentication and MAC address filtering.

[Vertigo1]

When I'm on the road, and there isn't a dedicated hotspot around...and I find an open network, I atleast try to track the person down and ask permission. If I can't find them, then I won't use it. Period. I don't feel like getting slapped with a stiff fine with a risk of jail time.

Laird: If you want a slight speed boost, get off of channel six and move to one that isn't used.

[weemadando]

I noticed a few weeks ago that one of my neighbours had a completely unsecured wireless network. I asked the one neighbour that I gave a shit about (the nice ones, not a uni sharehouse) if they had a wireless network. They said yes. I asked if they knew that it was completely unsecured. They said yes, they run Macs and have never bothered, nor did they want to.

Well, my duty of care is covered - willing to leech the fuck out of that.

[Uraniun235]

I never have and I don't anticipate I ever will; broadband internet is fairly cheap around here, so if I can't afford a broadband connection, I'll probably be in rather dire straits to be dicking around on the internet.

[Stark]

It's hilariously common for people to not configure their wireless routers, so I often check in and leave them a message about their poor security. I'd never use somebody else's net access.

[TimothyC]

At one point I noticed that my next door neighbours had an unsecured wireless router going. I let them know and even secured it for them. I also told them that they might have to reset the security if it ever powered down. A few weeks later we had a 20 minute power outage, and when power came back the router was unsecured. At that point I feel that I can use it without any personal ethical qualms.

[ThatGuyFromThatPlace]

I only leech when my internet is down and then onyl if the router I'm leeching from hasn't been formatted at all.

I will inform them of their problem and help them secure though (and gain courtesy access to their router for my help)

[Davis 51]

In my hometown, there are many unsecured wireless networks. I never leech off them. Ever.

[Superman]

It sort of amounts to preying off people's ignorance. This is what preachers and televangelists do. I don't.

[Stark]

That's pretty much my attitude. I don't steal access from idiots, because I'm better than that. Also, I'm not a thief.

[LeftWingExtremist]

I have a couple of unsecure networks arround my area. While I would never intentionally steal anothers internet access, I can't help but shake my head at their ignorance.

[Faram]

My ap is open and will stay that way.

I will not cost me anything extra if somone leatches of it. infact the SSID is "Free Porn Here"

[atg]

Leeching is illegal, therefore I will not do it. Even if it wasn't illegal I probably still wouldn't do it.

EDIT: Without permission that is.

[Stark]

My ap is open and will stay that way.

I will not cost me anything extra if somone leatches of it. infact the SSID is "Free Porn Here"

I don't have that much confidence in my internal network security.

[Seggybop]

My ap is open and will stay that way.

I will not cost me anything extra if somone leatches of it. infact the SSID is "Free Porn Here"

Same, my SSID is "yo."

I actually find it kinda rude that one would leave it open but then complain after somebody accesses it. It's really not nice to leave a sign up inviting people in when you don't actually want them there, even if it's unintentional.

[Darth Wong]

I can afford to keep filling my gas tank, so I can afford to keep paying for my own Internet connection.

[Dominus Atheos]

I can afford to keep filling my gas tank, so I can afford to keep paying for my own Internet connection.

That doesn't exactly make it clear whether you secure your wireless or not.

As for me, I live in the middle of Bumfuckia, on a half-acre lot, surrounded by other half-acre lots, so there’s nothing to leech off of.

[atg]

I can afford to keep filling my gas tank, so I can afford to keep paying for my own Internet connection.

That doesn't exactly make it clear whether you secure your wireless or not.

I think that's because that's not what the thread is about

[phongn]

I'll be honest - yes, if my Internet connection is down (as it is right now since Verizon is taking its sweet time hooking up ADSL) and then only to check email and whatnot.

[Star-Blighter]

My cousin leeches when he's out of town and can't get a wireless connection by other means. His justifications: "If they don't know how to secure their network from me, they don't deserve the bandwidth." and "This bandwidth goes to much better use in my hands, so sayeth I...". I don't have any need to leech since my access is all hard-wired, but I could give a shit if someone loses a chunk of bandwidth for half an hour when its so easy to prevent.

Illegal, yes. Unethical, yes. Convieniant, fuck YES!

My 2 cents.

[Davis 51]

I actually find it kinda rude that one would leave it open but then complain after somebody accesses it. It's really not nice to leave a sign up inviting people in when you don't actually want them there, even if it's unintentional.

Not everyone who has a wireless network is proficiant enough to secure it. Hell, it took two months to set up a simple 128 bit WEP encryption, and hundreds of dollars on the phone with tech support.

"If they don't know how to secure their network from me, they don't deserve the bandwidth." and "This bandwidth goes to much better use in my hands, so sayeth I..."

"If they don't know martial arts and don't carry around mace, then they don't deserve the money in their wallet. That money goes to much better use in my hands, so sayeth, I..."

Sorry, but you're cousin is a jackass.

I don't give a shit how you spend it, it's not yours to take.

[Darth Wong]

The old adage about leaving your door open for thieves is meant to warn people about not acting foolishly. It is not a moral exoneration of the goddamned thief.