is leaching wireless stealing or illegal?

[rajcan]

Hey guys, my girlfriend and I were talking today, and we got to talking about what I would do if the power went out at my place. She said I wouldn't be able to do anything since my internet would be out (which I use all the time), but then I said that I could just leach wireless from my neighbors. They've not bothered to secure their network so I can access and use it. I've done so before on plenty of occasions, but she thinks that it's stealing. What do you guys think?

[Paqman]

You're asking the wrong people.

If your neighbours have said it's ok for you to use it, then go for it. If not, it's stealing.

It's unlikely they've neglected to secure their network because they don't care. It's more likely they don't know how or why they should.

[KiwiNZ]

Without consent its illegal