UK Police Cracking Down on Broadband Theft

dubculture writes "A 39 year-old man in West London was arrested for dishonestly obtaining free internet access" from an unsecured wireless router nearby. The article discusses a couple of other cases, including one where a fine of £500 (~US$1000) was handed out for, essentially, taking advantage of someone else's inability (read: apathy) towards securing their home network."

Deeply flawed

[Daimanta]

This metaphore is deeply flawed. It doesn't contain any cars.

Dishonest?

[gweihir]

Since when is dishones illegal? Allmost all politicians would have a major problem if it were...

Re:No problem

[larry bagina]

I've peed on many a front lawn. Never seen one with a toilet, though.

Re:WTF?

[The Living Fractal]

This is just a warning to all you wifi freeloaders in the lobby: Buy some coffee. Or else.

-The Management

Re:Preemptive Strike

[jfengel]

But we're Slashdotters! We only know how to reason by analogy.

Holding a Slashdot argument without using a flurry of conflicting and dubious analogies is like a car with brakes only on its left wheels... no, wait, it's like a door with a lock that accepts puns as an answer... no, it's like...

Re:No problem

[MutantEnemy]

all sorts of illegal stuff ... pamphlets critical of the American way of life

Those are illegal now?

Re:"Dishonestly obtaining free internet access..."

[richie2000]

You have a tap in your front yard, mind if I use it to water my plants next door?

No, of course I don't mind. Just put the hose back when you're done, 'kay?

You do? Well, same principle here.

What the hell is wrong with you people? Weren't you allowed to use any of the toys at kindergarten and this petty selfishness is your way to get back at the world? Do you hate your neighbours because they have nicer plants than you do?

Re:"Dishonestly obtaining free internet access..."

[richie2000]

Tell me you wouldn't have any issue with some guy popping over, plugging his hose into your tap and using your water supply for a few days without asking?

No problem at all. As I intimated, he's even free to use my hose as long as he puts it back. Here, I'll give you a pointer: Free water [google.com]. There are two taps; one on the front of the garage and one on the back patio. There are 10m hoses attached to both, with standard connectors so you can add your hose if you need an extension. In addition, the WiFi is open with a SSID of "Orrviken"; it's a full duplex 10mbps fiber. Also, there are standard 240V outlets on the greenhouse, back patio and, of course, the front of the garage. If you're in town, I have a FON access point at Prästgatan 51, it's the same house as the Pharmacy and it should reach at least a few hundred meters along the street. Let me know if you're around and I'll even make you a cup of coffee. Have fun!

If someone were nicking my internet allowance, I'd be miffed.

Well, then you put a password on your wireless router, don't you? Like someone else higher up said - if you build a fountain, you'd better be prepared that both people and animals will drink from it. Or, you can sit and watch it with a shotgun, being the bitter old man the kids like to make fun of. Your choice.

Re:No problem

[weg]

I'm using an open WiFi called "Honeypot", do you think that's ok?
I had some strange transactions on my bank account, recently, I'm wonder whether that's somehow connected.. ;-)