Is It Ok to Steal Wi-Fi?

[Jorge]

With France, the UK, and possible even Canada mulling a three-strikes policy for illegal file-sharing, the issue is soon to become an important one.
Lost in all the hubbub about plans by some countries to disconnect repeat file-sharing violators ala the proverbial "three-strikes-and-your-out" policy, is the fact that many with wi-fi connections don't know how to properly secure them. This means that some will no doubt receive warning letters thanks to people who connect to them and download copyrighted material illegally.
So, is stealing wi-fi wrong?
Some will say yes, and others no, but the issue of whether it's immoral in the first place remains.
Mike Elgan over at Computerworld has posted an article that explains why he thinks it's not, intellectual property rights issues aside.
<p><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/zeropaid?a=lO8aZK"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/zeropaid?i=lO8aZK" border="0"></img></a></p>

Read Full Article Here (http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/zeropaid/~3/315898177/Is+It+Ok+to+Steal+Wi-Fi%3F)

[Mels_Smileys45]

With France, the UK, and possible even Canada mulling a three-strikes policy for illegal file-sharing, the issue is soon to become an important one.
Lost in all the hubbub about plans by some countries to disconnect repeat file-sharing violators ala the proverbial "three-strikes-and-your-out" policy, is the fact that many with wi-fi connections don't know how to properly secure them. This means that some will no doubt receive warning letters thanks to people who connect to them and download copyrighted material illegally.
So, is stealing wi-fi wrong?
Some will say yes, and others no, but the issue of whether it's immoral in the first place remains.
Mike Elgan over at Computerworld has posted an article that explains why he thinks it's not, intellectual property rights issues aside.
<p><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/zeropaid?a=lO8aZK"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/zeropaid?i=lO8aZK" border="0"></img></a></p>

Read Full Article Here (http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/zeropaid/~3/315898177/Is+It+Ok+to+Steal+Wi-Fi%3F)

There is no such thing as stealing Wi Fi unless you go into someones home and set their shit up with out them knowing just so you can use their connection secretly. If people let their wi fi out so that everyone can grab it thats their fault and if anyone uses their signal to harm others then they are just as guilty (and also idiots).

Three strile sounds reasonable. Its better than being sued. Who canblame an ISP for cutting people off if they have to keep warning a user over and over about their illegal activity? Do you think the ISP's enjoy explaining to the lawyers over and over about your illegal activity? Don't be mad at the ISP's. They are only trying to provide you a service without having to turn you over to the courts. Be HAPPY you get three strikes before getting cut off. It could be three strikes then go to court, lose your job and the house.

[Signa]

i personally dont see a problem with "stealing" wi-fi, as long as you are polite to the person that you are stealing from. No p2p would be a start. p2p eats up too much bandwith, and if you arent paying, or getting direct permission from the person that you are piggybacking on, then it is definatly wrong. other than that, ISPs are handing out too much bandwith for simple browsing on one or three machines. there shouldnt be any thing wrong with helping someone use their service to its full potential.

[wapazoid]

There is no such thing as stealing Wi Fi unless you go into someones home and set their shit up with out them knowing just so you can use their connection secretly. If people let their wi fi out so that everyone can grab it thats their fault and if anyone uses their signal to harm others then they are just as guilty (and also idiots).

I think part of the problem is uneducated subscribers that pay for an ISP's "home networking" installation. Some field techs fail to mention basic wireless security measures, let alone the importance of protecting the network. We don't read manuals or online instructions anymore (another problem). If an uninformed customer suddenly has internet access from their laptop while laying in bed, they might have no idea they're broadcasting an unsecured network. It's pretty much the same deal when broadband ISP's weren't mentioning firewalls and virus scanners years ago. Personally, I think piggybacking without consent is wrong for the fact that you surf for nothing while someone else picks up the tab. But then again, I'm not one to start an anti-stealing march... I steal copyright material on a regular basis.:icon_pira