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Is it legal to access an open wi-fi access point?

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  #1  
Old 01-11-2005, 10:03 AM
Default Is it legal to access an open wi-fi access point?



Are there any good documents on the net that answer this question? Why
should I pay for my own internet access if there are access points available
for the taking?

I'd appreciate your comments.

Thanks.

Gary





Gary
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  #2  
Old 01-11-2005, 10:14 AM
Ali Babba
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Posts: n/a
Default Re: Is it legal to access an open wi-fi access point?

Gary wrote:

> Are there any good documents on the net that answer this question? Why
> should I pay for my own internet access if there are access points available
> for the taking?
>
> I'd appreciate your comments.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Gary
>
>
>



is it legal to take the train without a ticket and they dont check anyway.

is it legal to copy music or dvd's as it is so easy and nobody will
charge you anyway.

where i come from, cases undefined by law are judged to comparable
situations. thus, where i come from, i guess you better ask your
neighbour before taking a joyride on his costs.
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  #3  
Old 01-11-2005, 10:17 AM
Harry
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Default Re: Is it legal to access an open wi-fi access point?

On Tue, 11 Jan 2005 10:03:02 GMT, "Gary" <gary@127.0.0.1> wrote:

>Are there any good documents on the net that answer this question? Why
>should I pay for my own internet access if there are access points available
>for the taking?
>
>I'd appreciate your comments.
>
>Thanks.
>
>Gary
>
>

If you are referring to wi-fi sites that are offerred as FREE then
help yourself.

If you are talking about people who have failed to secure their access
then you shouldnt be taking it. After all, I someone left their front
door open, would you walk in and help yourself to their TV?

Harry
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  #4  
Old 01-11-2005, 11:46 AM
JTS
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Posts: n/a
Default Re: Is it legal to access an open wi-fi access point?

Why not take the high road and not be an asshole.


"Gary" <gary@127.0.0.1> wrote in message
news:qvNEd.4115$(E-Mail Removed) ink.net...
> Are there any good documents on the net that answer this question? Why
> should I pay for my own internet access if there are access points
> available
> for the taking?
>
> I'd appreciate your comments.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Gary
>
>
>



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  #5  
Old 01-11-2005, 02:40 PM
Rodney Kelp
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Posts: n/a
Default Re: Is it legal to access an open wi-fi access point?

Is it legal to turn on your FM radio? Of course it is. If they don't want
you there you will be blocked.

"Gary" <gary@127.0.0.1> wrote in message
news:qvNEd.4115$(E-Mail Removed) ink.net...
> Are there any good documents on the net that answer this question? Why
> should I pay for my own internet access if there are access points
> available
> for the taking?
>
> I'd appreciate your comments.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Gary
>
>
>



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  #6  
Old 01-11-2005, 03:50 PM
Kevin Long
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Posts: n/a
Default Re: Is it legal to access an open wi-fi access point?

Yes! Fill your boots! Download all kinds of porn, send out rude and
threatening emails and forward all kinds of virus/worms/trojans thru the
unsecure wireless AP! That will teach them to enable WEP, WPA and MAC
filtering.


"Gary" <gary@127.0.0.1> wrote in message
news:qvNEd.4115$(E-Mail Removed) ink.net...
> Are there any good documents on the net that answer this question? Why
> should I pay for my own internet access if there are access points
> available
> for the taking?
>
> I'd appreciate your comments.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Gary
>
>
>



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  #7  
Old 01-11-2005, 03:54 PM
David
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Posts: n/a
Default Re: Is it legal to access an open wi-fi access point?

On 2005-01-11 09:40:20 -0500, "Rodney Kelp" <(E-Mail Removed)> said:

> Is it legal to turn on your FM radio? Of course it is. If they don't
> want you there you will be blocked.


Not even a valid comparison.


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  #8  
Old 01-11-2005, 04:48 PM
Jerry Park
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Posts: n/a
Default Re: Is it legal to access an open wi-fi access point?

Gary wrote:

>Are there any good documents on the net that answer this question? Why
>should I pay for my own internet access if there are access points available
>for the taking?
>
>I'd appreciate your comments.
>
>Thanks.
>
>Gary
>
>
>
>
>

I don't think it is so much a legal issue as a question of what is
appropriate. Your neighbor may intend to share his wireless network --
and may not. Absent a clear indication that he wants to share, you
should presume that he doesn't. Many people do not understand how to
secure their networks. The fact that they are ignorant of security
measures does not imply that they have intentionally opened their network.

Since it is as simple as using an SSID of 'FreeAccess' to indicate the
intention to share, the lack of a welcome implies that you are not
welcome to share.

If your neighbor posts a sign 'Free Tomatoes -- pick your own', you can
be sure its OK to pick his tomatoes. Would you raid your neighbor's
garden without such an invitation?
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  #9  
Old 01-11-2005, 05:19 PM
effi
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Posts: n/a
Default Re: Is it legal to access an open wi-fi access point?

"Jerry Park" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:ZnTEd.10013$(E-Mail Removed).. .
> I don't think it is so much a legal issue [snipped]


it is a legal issue

who owns the airwaves?

this goes back to captain midnight and the inception of satellite tv
scrambling

nice new niche area for new attorneys to exploit...


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  #10  
Old 01-11-2005, 06:13 PM
Zeppo
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Posts: n/a
Default Re: Is it legal to access an open wi-fi access point?


"effi" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> "Jerry Park" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:ZnTEd.10013$(E-Mail Removed).. .
> > I don't think it is so much a legal issue [snipped]

>
> it is a legal issue
>
> who owns the airwaves?
>
> this goes back to captain midnight and the inception of satellite tv
> scrambling
>
> nice new niche area for new attorneys to exploit...
>
>


Only for those without ethics.


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