Connectinos

[Ben]

Ill explain.

Well theres nothing wrong with my connection, but i have picked up a strong connection coming from 'somewhere ' and i know its illegal so i am not doing it I am just wondering If i 'accessed' next doors wireless connection, say its 100Mbps and mine is, would that speed my connection up if i used both at once or would it make no difference?

[ROTD]

Yeah are schools use a hub for line connections and a wireless for laptops (they are both running constantly on all computers) and the laptops (which only have wireless) run the same speed... so it leads me to belive they dont work at the same time. The computers access only one and run it, even if both are active at the time.

Im not sure if this would be the case with you but who knows XD

[unit_number_43]

As far as I know you can't run two wireless connections at the same time.

I jump on other peoples wireless all the time. If it's not secured, it's their own fault. As far as I'm concerned. If someone left a dollar at your house, it's not against the law for you to take it. So, if someone's wireless is left on my front door...

[Samuel]

Haha. I dont care if people use my connection. =) Share the wealth!

Haha. I dont care if people use my connection. =) Share the wealth!

[Ben]

Well one (my) connection is wired and i have a wireless adapter thingy but my wireless router dont work wireless and its just picked up a wireless network.

Awww now its Encrypted
I think my mate knows how to get past that, or so he said.

[Samuel]

Why bother? Your connection dosen't seem to be bad, I wish I had wired connection instead of wireless!

[Adam]

Someone explain in english what is going on here? How/can did you pick up on somone else connection?

[carrotderek]

It shouldn't be illegal to jump on a neighbors wifi since its not actually stealing. More like using something that is openly broadcasted, like a radio? People are responsible for securing their signal, so w/e.

If you want to like hack a secured connection, then thats another story.. muah :P

[John]

It's not often that you see examples of this, but in many areas it is considered a crime to connect to unsecured wireless (or even wired) networks. I'm not certain about the specifics of the laws, but in the US I believe it may be "unauthorized access to computer networks" and in Canada it is "theft of communications." I believe that it may be a felony in the United States. If I'm recalling correctly, the US law was made in a way that covers unauthorized access whether or not the computer or network being accessed is secure.

Connecting to unsecured wireless networks, without permission and without knowing who is operating the network, could actually pose another risk to you. It is entirely possible to setup a network in a way that eavesdrops on those who connect through the network. There are people out there that purposely setup unsecured / open wireless networks so that they can run password sniffers (and the like) to steal your login info to various services. Or, for example, what if there is a virus that runs a network password sniffer and the unsecured network that is connected to has a computer connected that is infected with the virus I described (not sure if a virus like that actually exists... yet).

Leaving your wireless network unsecured is also a bad idea. Someone could connect to your wireless network and run a password sniffer to steal your login info off of your own network. Also, those who operate networks are generally legally responsible for use of the network. When left unsecured, other people can use your network and cause damage/harm to others or use your Internet connection for other illegal purposes. In some (or maybe all?) cases the victims can actually sue the people (usually homeowner insurance) for damages, because of negligence.

Anyhow, I don't mean to rain on this thread. Just came across it and read some of the posts about connecting to unsecured networks... figured I would post this info as I understand it to be. Leaving your own network is obviously a bad idea and connecting to unsecured networks is also a bad idea, not only because of laws but also because those networks may be insecure in other ways.

[unit_number_43]

John is correct. It is illegal to use, even an unsecured, private wireless network without the owners permission.