My wireless modem is getting fixed as it broke, so i am connected to someone in my street, is this illegal? Best answer on the web

Posted in: darrelrussell.com edit
07 Jan 2009
  • My wireless modem is getting fixed as it broke, so i am connected to someone in my street, is this illegal?



    Because i searched for wireless modems near my house and i get 5 modems.

    4 of them had a password, but 1 was unsecured so i connected to it.

    What i am wondering is, is this illegal?


  • IT IS NOT ILLEGAL. Why do o many people say it is?

    You are only doing it temporary. When I didn't have high speed, I bought special antennas to do that.



    If they want people out, the will secure it. If they don't, the will make it open. Some people go in lists of free internet.


  • Yes this is illegal. It is called "piggybacking" someone's wireless connection.

    You are basically stealing there internet connection which they have paid for.

    There have been cases of arrests for this (see link below)


  • i am not sure but i think its illegal if you acess there files without permission (e.g hacking)



    but in my opinion they should have a key for their modem/router so people can't access it



    so i would say its their own fault


  • Well here's a comparison for you to see if you think it's legal or not. Supposing someone in your street had their car break down so they just come and took your car. Would that be legal? How would you feel about that happening? I know it's a different scenario but in principle it's exactly the same. I know that nobody can see you using someone else's broadband, but you are still stealing from that person. So yes, what you are doing is illegal.


  • illegal not sure but is it right Absolutely not... Its just like getting free cable it all good until you get caught. They can see who has accessed their Network if they know where to look. So you better hope that nothing gets stolen off their hard drive and they report it you might hear a knock at your door.


  • Wi-fi is a relatively new technology, so currently no laws have been passed. Exceptions are if you use it to do illegal activities or change their settings. By the way, many people leave them open so if they are caught downloading illegal material, they can say "someone else must of done it!"