Stealing Wireless Internet

Wi-Fi has become a part of everyday existence. There are few public places you can go to now, like the library or a school, where you cannot connect to a Wi-Fi signal. This type of open access to the Internet has made it easier for folks to stay connected, check their e-mail and get instant information at the tip of their fingertips. This type of open access is taken for granted by many users who feel being connected is a right no matter where they are.

Over the last few years, several stories have come out of people stealing Wi-Fi Internet connections in neighborhoods. There have even been several convictions for doing so. These high-profile cases have highlighted the length people will go to get an Internet connection without paying for their own service. They basically connect to unencrypted home networks, use network resources and generally go undetected by the owner of the given network. In some cases they are caught, reported to authorities and prosecuted for theft.

When connecting to a network, it is important to realize that somebody is paying for it. While many businesses are beginning to charge for using their Wi-Fi service, there are many home owners that are still opting to keep their networks unencrypted like such Wi-Fi hotspots. In these cases, anyone with a wireless device can connect to their Internet and use it free of charge. Those who encrypt their network do not have to worry about such an intrusion.

Connecting to a network that does not belong to you or is not really open to the public is theft. You are stealing an Internet connection that somebody else paid for and uses for their own purposes. By connecting, you are violating their right to use the services they paid for. You are also committing a crime, can be charged for it and might even see jail time depending on what you do during your session on the network in question. Next time you think about connecting to a wireless network, make sure it is an open network to the public; otherwise, you might find yourself in hot water with the law.