Unsecured WiFi access points

[BurnitBlue]

Hello

It seems common (from reading forum posts) that some folk, when cruising, use their laptop to log on to unsecured WiFi for weather etc.

Also from other forum posts I get the impression that this is illegal if the unsecured access point is in a private house or apartment, and has, in the past, resulted in prosecution.

In my neighbourhood there are a few unsecured WiFi access points from neighbours, plus a completely legal public WiFi access point from the local library which is only a hundred yards from my house. The library access point is completely open with no passwords required.

From my house I cannot tell the difference between the private and public WiFi access points except for the fact that I know the library ID because I have sometimes logged on from inside the library where their ID is obvious from the terrific signal strength. So by default, when I turn on my laptop from the house, I know which is library and which is neighbour.

However, if I am cruising, how will I know if an unsecured WiFi is Private or Public? Also how will the private (or public) Wifi acess point know who is logging on to the Internet via their router?

Puzzled, and thanks for any information. Basically two questions. Is it illegal and if so, how do they know who to prosecute?

 

[Borden]

They will only know who is logged on to their wireless router if they interrogate the router. As most of us rarely if ever do so it's unlikely that you will be 'found out'. Even if they do, the router will list the IP addresses served and possibly the names of the computers currently logged in. As most of us give our machines names that don't provide any clue as to who they belong to then it's almost impossible for the owner of the wifi access point to trace the machines logged in. If your machine is named after you or your boat then you are just asking to be traced.

 

[GruffT]

IMHO, if the owner is worried enough about illegal use of their network to do anything about it and knows enough to track down someone who is using it illegally, they know enough to secure the network in the first place.

eg. An unsecured network with a name of "belkin54g" PROBABLY means they wouldn't know an IP address, DHCP client table or indeed what the flashing light on the front of the box means anyway...

...unless it's a honey trap set by interpol...

...then you are bu&&ered.

Just my 2p worth.

 

[SailorFrank]

yes it is illegal but i agree with the last post if they are stupid enough to leave it open they won't be able to work out who you are.

I have a program running that lets me know when somebody tries to access my wireless it is amazing how often people try!!

 

[BurnitBlue]

Holy smoke. Good point about naming my computer with my full name because that is what I have done. I didn’t realise that this could be a problem in the future.

So please tell me how I can re-name my computer.

Many thanks for that heads up. In fact I have been a little nervous about my full name appearing in the Cookies because of identity theft so changing the name of my computer will be a good thing all round.

Hope someone can help with this and tell me how to do it.

 

[GruffT]

On Win XP right click on "My Computer", Properties, Computer Name Tab, Change, off you go.

From memory same on 2k.

Can't vouch for any other OS.

And to keep it boaty, call it "Full of wind ".


/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[[3889]]

I think the 1 prosecution and 1 formal police warning to date have been against habitual abusers of a particular network. BT have started a scheme called Fon which is aimed at a legal open wifi network.
In the UK, I think Wifi providers have blown their opportunity by ludicrous pricing levels: £6 / hour for the cloud . T mobile now provide mobile broadband for £1/day or less with no contract and others are starting to follow.

 

[srp]

The real risk here is not that of being caught using an unsecured wireless network (even though it is illegal or unlawful, not sure which). If you operate an unsecured wireless network you have no way of knowing what any freeloader might be accessing on the internet via your router. If I wanted to learn how to make a bomb, I would do all my research on someone elses unsecured network, and only their IP address would be visible.
The answer is to secure your router - hide the SSID, use MAC address filtering for wireless devices, and use WEP security. It will then be very difficult for a casual snooper to jump onto your network. Brendan, or one of the other network experts can probably give better advice for even more security, and OldSail3r's little program sounds like a good idea.

 

[SailorFrank]

i use airsnare but would not advise downloading unless you are very PC literate as it can conflict with your internet connection and virus software

 

[rickp]

[ QUOTE ]
If you operate an unsecured wireless network you have no way of knowing what any freeloader might be accessing on the internet via your router. If I wanted to learn how to make a bomb, I would do all my research on someone elses unsecured network, and only their IP address would be visible.

[/ QUOTE ]

Fortunately its not a crime to operate an open wifi network and no conviction for an online crime will rest solely on the evidence that it "was from your IP address".

Rick

 

[BurnitBlue]

Thanks GruffT. Done it. Phew, that was close.

 

[yelbis]

just changed mine to BlueTwo

 

[Marmalade]

agree - except that wep has been cracked (http://www.aircrack-ng.org/doku.php)- you should use WPA.

Simon