Is getting a connection through someone else's network stealing?

Question

I just got me a new labtop, and i find that i'm getting a internet connection from somewhere, certain businesses and i think from the lady down the street, i just want to know by me connecting to her network costing her more, and can i get in trouble for this?

Answer 1

In a way, it is stealing. Just be careful about what you do.  

Answer 2

If they don't know you are using it, it's like connecting to their powerlines and using their electricity, in a way...

It probably doesn't cost them any more but you are possibly slowing their own connection down. Also, you are using the benefits of their labor. They paid for this good but you didn't.

They probably just don't know how to make the network secure but its also possible that they make it publicly unrestricted on purspose from the reasons of charity? LOL.

anyway, you could get in deeper trouble should police and judges learn that you accessed the internet using someone else's account without their permission.

My advice, get your own internet access if you can. If not, then the decision is yours...

Answer 3

Good news and bad news:-

Good News: it's not stealing!

Bad News: it's breaking the computer misuse act since you are accessing someone's network without their consent. If they catch you, you may get in serious trouble.

Answer 4

She probably doesn't even know that her wireless network is wide open.  Perhaps, in exchange for using her internet (you can show her the vulnerabilities of an unsecured wireless network).  I am pretty sure she would be more than happy to oblige.  Anything else is simply unethical, and it is stealing.

Answer 5

All in all, if the persons network you are using does not know you are using it and has not given you permission to do so, then the answer is yes, this is stealing. Now as for it costing them more, that would have to do with how they pay from thier internet. If you download alot through them, then the potential is there for you to cause them to pay more. Can you get in trouble? hrm, thats harder to answer. I guess that would depend on what you do from thier connection.