Is getting on Wifi illegal?

Question

When you set at home on your laptop and get on a Wifi network that isn't yours is it illegal? I have hear some people say that it's not because it's just airways that you are stealing abut then I have heard that it's illegal..but I'm not sure. please help..thanks.

Answer 1

It's called Theft of Service, just like stealing cable TV from a neighbor.

Answer 2

only if the people who you are getting the Wi-fi from catch you and press charges

but in airports it legal

Answer 3

Depends on which country you live in...

Some countries don't care if you use an open connection as it is exactly that (as long as you do not attempt to access any computer on that network)

In other countries it is illegal.

By open connection I me a wireless network that has no authentication or encryption. If you are bypassing authentication or hacking encryption to gain access to somebodies wireless network then yes it is illegal.

Answer 4

Yes, it is illegal unless you have the permission of the network owner. You will not likely get charged, and no police force is spending a few grand to gather the evidence needed, but it is illegal.

Answer 5

technically, yes but i think if the people that your connecting to didnt want hitchikers on their network, they woulve out a password on it. that would be the smart thing to do

Answer 6

technically it is illegal but you wouldn't go to jail or be fined for it unless the person you're taking internet from warned you not to use it. I think if a person didn't want you to use their internet they would have put up a password for it. If they didn't i don't see anything wrong with using it but you might have less of a bandwidth if you use it at the same time as your neighbor.

Answer 7

its an ongoing question of morality

some people say it is immoral

Others say it is not

It is always best to have permission

If the person knows what they are doing - one who could check if you were online - their router would be secure and it would not be an issue

If you want to use the signal and are not going to be abusive its best to ask