Confessions of a Wi-Fi Thief

Michelle Shildkret from Time wrote in to tell us about a story about "the ethics of stealing Wi-Fi. Many of us been guilty of the same crime at one point or another — according to the article, 53% of us at least. But how guilty do we really feel? As it is officially a crime to steal wi-fi (Title 18, Part 1, Chapter 47 of the United States Code, which covers anybody who 'intentionally accesses a computer without authorization or exceeds authorized access')."

Not At All?

[D Ninja]

But how guilty do we really feel?

About as guilty as I feel when I drive above the speed limit.

I can neither confirm nor deny...

[Ngarrang]

...that I may or may not be using yours or someone else's unsecured wi-fi access point, Definitely maybe not, to post this response.

Re:Not a thief

[e03179]

You did when your router gave me explicit permission by assigning me an IP address...

I am not a Wi-Fi hacker, but I'm pretty sure that humans don't get assigned IP addresses.

Re:no theft here

[nanop]

We'll today'll be the last time I heat my burrito in the microwave in "Executives Only" lounge, lest I be charged under Title 18, Part 1, Chapter 47...

Re:Not a thief

[Bandman]

I'm also pretty sure laptops don't get criminal trials

Re:Not a thief

[CogDissident]

Sure they do, mr 57.85.0.6

Re:This can be argued, but...

[JCSoRocks]

Besides, how else are you supposed to get Internet when you first move? It took Comcast two weeks to come and set me up (and I'm a business customer). I'm sure it'll change one day... but until then, checking for and using a neighbor's wifi is just another part of moving!

Re:Not a thief

[Bandman]

If the access point is broadcasting a signal which says that it isn't open I don't use it, even if it's using an insecure system such as WEP which might reasonably be treated as an invitation to hack.

This is apparently some definition of the term "reasonably" of which I was previously unaware.

Re:no theft here

[morgan_greywolf]

If your LinkSys router is running some flavor of Linux, is it not a computer? Even your microwave is a computer.

My microwave runs Linux? *stares at microwave in awe*

My Ungrounded Lightning

[Doc Ruby]

When I use WiFi signals that are in the air somewhere that I've got a right to be myself, like in my own home or office, I feel the same way about using it as I do when I use an electrical ground wire. Or reading a newspaper in the incident light.

If those electrons or photons are trespassing in my private property, whoever sent them there is fortunate that I don't take countermeasures, in court or with a lethal focusing reflector.

Re:This story is stupid

[wolf12886]

Sometimes I think these article summaries are intentionally worded to get slashdotters cranked up.

Sometimes?

Re:It *is* unethical to steal wi-fi

[Just Some Guy]

If you're stealing wifi right now, do the right thing and pay for it. SOMEONE has to pay for it, and it's not right to have someone else pay for you.

I bet drinking fountains ruin your day.

set geography_mode = typical_American

[Hognoxious]

What if you're standing exactly on the border between Germany and Singapore?

Re:Not a thief

[TheSpatulaOfLove]

I'm also pretty sure laptops don't get criminal trials

Laptops may not, but printers are subject to civil lawsuits - Right, RIAA?

Re:Not a thief

[DriedClexler]

*sigh*

Three things are certain in life:

1. Death
2. Taxes
3. Increasingly complicated analogy wars in discussions of wi-fi freeriding

Re:Not a thief

[Red Alastor]

And the router owner pays extra for downloading a certain amount of GBs per month. The analogy holds. No wait, this is Slashdot... Does anyone have a car analogy?

You forgot to add...

[DeadDecoy]

I know where you live, I have your traceroute.

Re:Not a thief

[Illbay]

Not true. Haven't you heard? The U.S. Supreme Court has now granted full U.S. Constitutional protections to laptops. Even if they're being detained at Gitmo.

Re:You forgot to add...

[rodney dill]

Sorry I'm not at 127.0.0.1 right now, please leave a message... (beep)

Re:Not a thief

[Innova]

A bad analogy is like a leaky screwdriver.

Re:I haven't seen this...

[Mox-Dragon]

5nd? It sounds more like it was written by a 3th grader.

Re:set geography_mode = typical_American

[level99]

What if you're standing exactly on the border between Germany and Singapore?

Then I for one welcome you as our new super giant mega Godzilla-like overlord, and you can use whatever access point you like. Seriously. Whatever you like.

Re:If you really want to pick up this analogy and

[Orange Crush]

maybe the problem is just that there's no easy way to differentiate between a deliberately open router and a purposefully left open one...

Indeed. I think there may be no way at all to differentiate between a router left open deliberately and one left open purposefully.

Re:Not a thief

[Joe the Lesser]

And in California you can marry them!

Re:Not a thief

[Illbay]

Hm. Can my laptop and I adopt children? Although I'm not exactly sure what sort of parent that it'd be. It appears to have "issues" with pornography.

Re:Even better analogy

[TheSpoom]

I'm sorry, without the car, I'm lost.

Re:Not a thief

[Dread_ed]

If you simply enter a house, stand around inside, and leave when asked without breaking anything, you have committed no crime.

I have GOT to try that! Where do you live? :)

Re:Not a thief

[Anonymous Coward]

Let me help clean this up in the best way I know how. It's like if your neighbor's WiFi router were transmitting cars through the air to your house. You didn't ask for the cars, but you go ahead and get in one and drive off. Is that a crime?