May

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Piggybacking on Your Neighbor’s WiFi

May 1, 2007 |

In another May Day inspired article (one that goes along the laborious mind of the common people) I pose the question of the morality of using someone else’s WiFi signal (Wireless Internet)? Five cent nickel.com has posed the question before. Cnnfn.com has asked it to the public. I do have my own opinions, as expected. Is it correct? Would I do it?
Many of my neighbors have dogs. It doesn’t seem to bother me (or other neighbors) if they walk their dogs in my front yard as long as they pick up their droppings. It doesn’t seem to bother anyone, as no one is keeping any fences around their properties in my neighborhood.

What can I conclude?

  1. Fences – If there are no fences, the occasional, non-malignant use of the yard or the WiFi signal is fine to me. Someone crossing a fence, or a WEP encryption would be considered similar to trespassing, in my opinion.
  2. Non-Abusive - Just as I do not mind one dog walking around my property once in a while, I do not want my yard to be converted into a doggie park to the point that I can’t use it and enjoy it. I would not like people to do heavy file-sharing over my internet connection to the point I can’t read my mail either.
  3. Non-Damaging - Just as I do not want any dog poop in my yard, I do not want any viruses or other maladies introduced into my networked computers.

Unfortunately, I do put WEP encryption in my WiFi signal. I have too much sensitive information in my home network, and even when my computers have anti-virus software and personal firewalls, I do enjoy the extra level of protection. I do however, hope I have answered the correctness or morality of the issue: and yes, I would use any freely available WiFi signal occasionally and without spending too much bandwidth out of it.There is, however, a requirement imposed by many consumer-oriented service providers: and it is that consumers do not share their signal. Consumers may (or may not) be obligated to close down their internet using WEP or other methods.

For those who believe in widely available internet access but want some security in their homes try a La Fonera router: with one private and one public WiFi signal (you may get money if the public one is used by the La Fonera users, and you get free access in other La Fonera user’s routers). Initial cost of about 40 Euros.


Comments

1 Comment so far

  1. james on July 14, 2007 4:20 am

    THe moral bit is quite hard to say. Cause, if, someone purposely leave their WIFI signal for others to use, then it is ok. If i have a non time limited signal, might as well share it with other.

    But if someone have WEP or other encryption, & we hack into it, then it is considered breaking and entry, I think. Morally & legally wrong. A few months back, Singapore prosecuted someone for piggybacking WIFI.

    ed

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