Wi-Fi signals can be picked up all over the place. Some people find it easy to just piggyback on someone else’s Wi-Fi without blinking an eye, but is it a wise or safe thing to do? The issue of using someone else’s wireless Internet is often debated and has produced two distinct camps. Of course there are those who think it is quite OK depending on the circumstances.
Some people feel that if someone leaves their wireless network open, then it’s up for grabs. Since the onus is on the wireless network owner to protect themselves, is the ‘piggybacker’ really stealing? Those still on the fence feel that periodically using your wireless does no real harm. They see the only danger in invading your privacy by capturing what you send via your Internet or grabbing your passwords.
The other camp feels that if it’s not yours, leave it alone. I paid for my service and you shouldn’t be using it at all without my permission. Since Wi-Fi is now so commonplace, protecting yourself should be top priority. Finding out how to do it is as easy as searching for information online.
It is important to note that people have been convicted of stealing Wireless Connections, so be warned. The bottom line is, if you use someone’s wireless Internet without their permission you are committing a crime. Granted some argue that this is rather murky at best, as proving no permission was granted can be hard to do. If you did not protect your Wi-Fi did you give permission knowing the possibility of others using it? All this will no doubt change as laws are updated to suit the needs of our wired world.