Is it illegal to use an unsecured network at home or is it okay because it is unsecured

Question

if u can answer that will be great

Answer 1

it's not illegal, but it is extremely stupid.

it means anyone can just use your connection if they are within the signal range. someone could use your connection to download or go on illegal sites. download child p**n or do anything. and guess who would get the blame? no not them, you would, because it's your internet connection. the person responsible is the one who's name the connection is in. so your connection, your getting arrested.

Answer 2

No   But it is like having all of your doors removed at YOUR HOUSE allowing ANYONE to walk on thru.

Why do it ?

Answer 3

to use someone else's network without their express consent is now internationally considered theft of service. You can get 5 years for this. even if the owner does nothing about it, their ISP can and some have already prosecuted as it is also depriving them of a possible subscription. None have lost a case. It also makes all your transactions visible to anyone with a wireless machine. This makes any clear text user names, passwords, emails and sites visited (including banking addresses)  public.

Answer 4

Hi

If it's your own it not illegal , but there is a tiny risk you might get some one hacking into your system.

If you are using someone Else's then yes it's illegal ( Computer Misuse Act 1990 ) ,

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1990/UKp...

but there is a very small chance of you getting caught , and even smaller chance of you being prosecuted .

There has only been a hand full of cases in the UK where some one has parked outside  a house and used a strangers network. It was by chance that police were walking by and investigated .

However it's not very nice using up some ones bandwidth , especially if they have a download limit, then they could end up paying extra because of you.

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Answer 5

if you are using an unsecured network that is your own in your home then no

but if you are using someone elses with out there permission and are caught then it is illegal and is punishable by fines or prison

loads of people do it though, me included

Answer 6

Not illegal but not very clever because people can use your account and you get in trouble for anything they do.

After re-reading your question I think you mean using someone else's network. That is illegal and you can get into trouble.

Answer 7

Case 1: it's your unsecured network.  Cheap high-speed subscriptions generally require you to secure your network.  If you pay $60-$100 a month, you can get the coffee-house plan, under which you can open your network to the public as much as you want.

Case 2: it's your neighbor's network.  To do the right thing, talk with your neighbor, and ask them whether you can use their network.  If they say ok, then you're the same as an invited guest in their house using a laptop, and morally on good ground.  Most likely, they would say okay, people are generally nice.  Even if it's secured, they might give you the password.  Unless you live in a paranoid place, like an apartment building or the big city.  As far as legality, I have no idea.  Also, if you're using their stuff, remember, it could go away anytime, and you have no right to complain if anything happens.

Answer 8

Unless the owner of the wireless connection has granted you permission, DO NOT use their internet - whether or not it's secure.

Suggested reading:

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

If you mean is it ok to leave your own network unsecured and use it - yes, but it's asking for trouble.

Answer 9

Just one word THEFT!  

Just because something isn't bolted down to the floor, does that give you the God given right to walk off with it?

Ask yourself this, how would you feel if you had someone using your unsecured connection to download excessive amounts of illegal material and you were cut off.

It's up to you to prove you didn't because it was traced to your ISP. What are you going to do if you get blacklisted by every ISP? Further more how are you going to pay the thousands in fines?

So carry on and we will all read about you in the papers when you get caught!

Answer 10

theres no straight answer to that yet

technically its wrong but you couldnt get done in a court of law unless you are involved in criminal activities over the network.

Answer 11

It's not illegal at all, just as having no alarm system for your house is perfectly illegal. Of course, it has the same possibility; someone using your connection without permission, slowing down your connection and adding to your bandwith consumption.

Persoanlly, I havn't bothered putting a key on my network, only because it is easier to reconnect, rather than typing in a WEP key, but it is the perferred option.

Hope that helps.