Are unprotected hotspots off-limits?

[t0p]

In UK law: If my computer detects a wireless network that is not protected by passwords etc and so is totally wide open to all comers, would it be illegal for me to use it to connect to the internet?

[LaRoza]

In UK law: If my computer detects a wireless network that is not protected by passwords etc and so is totally wide open to all comers, would it be illegal for me to use it to connect to the internet?

This is not a law practice.

By most standards, public is public. I am not a lawyer.

Logically, I would think you could use them because public networks are common.

[DrMega]

In UK law: If my computer detects a wireless network that is not protected by passwords etc and so is totally wide open to all comers, would it be illegal for me to use it to connect to the internet?

It's a tricky one. As far as the Data Protection act is concerned, it would be OK (the company would be at risk of getting done for not protecting their data). However, the Theft Act 1968 might be an issue, because you'd be effectively knowingly stealing from that company by using their bandwidth.

Best ask a solicitor is you're really that concerned. British law is tricky at the best of times, and much of it is quite out of date (it is still the law for boys upto the age of 13 to practice bill drill every sunday, and London cabbies are still required to carry a bale of hay in their taxi for their horse).

[DrMega]

Oh, I forgot to mention. There is no such thing as UK law. There is the law of England & Wales, and the law of Scotland.

[t0p]

Best ask a solicitor is you're really that concerned.

Oh I'm not really concerned. I'm just interested.



British law is tricky at the best of times, and much of it is quite out of date (it is still the law for boys upto the age of 13 to practice bill drill every sunday, and London cabbies are still required to carry a bale of hay in their taxi for their horse).

That law about London cabbies is a just law. We can't have those horses going hungry, can we? Even if they are those new-fangled horses that fit under a London cab's hood...

[smoker]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legality_of_piggybacking

The Computer Misuse Act 1990 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_Misuse_Act_1990), section 1 reads:[13] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legality_of_piggybacking#cite_note-12)
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if—
(a) he causes a computer to perform any function with intent to secure access to any program or data held in any computer;(b) the access he intends to secure is unauthorised; and(c) he knows at the time when he causes the computer to perform the function that that is the case.

[jeyaganesh]

Dont use it unless it is for public usage. Some people might not protected their wifi connection without knowledge.

[oldsoundguy]

Maybe if some common sense was used and the open public usage site is at Starbuck's, Holiday Inn or Internet Cafe, (or whatever) it is cool. But I sure would stay away from unprotected business/home sites just as a matter of principle and courtesy, yet alone what laws may be in place.
(that is, of course, NOT done by a certain type of person .. and those are the ones that you have to have secured OUT of your own site!)
Way too many people do not RTFM when it comes to setting up their home networks or small business net. (big business and government are SUPPOSED to have high paid IT's that set up passwords sand secure their nets .. still some do not!

[DrMega]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legality_of_piggybacking



[/INDENT]

Well pointed out. I'd forgot about that law, which is bad considering my job is software developer for a large firm.