TC didn't ask if connecting to a router in someone else's possession was stealing. TC asked if the act is inherently bad.
There is question as to whether or not such an act (stealing wifi) is even possible. If it's not possible, then the answer is obviously no.
There are many ways to obtain resources, acts which me and many other people would consider unethical, not recognized as theft according to government. The levelling out of old-growth forests by lumber companies for an example.
I think it would be real douchbaggery to mooch off of someone else's Internet connection in general. If its an emergency, like you really need to send an email and for some reason your Internet connection is unavailable then yea we all could turn a blind eye to such a thing. But to do it regularly is being a real dickhead.
I remember back in high school when Internet access was still so costly and scarce around here I managed to get hold of a dial up Internet connection's password and I went pretty wild with it. It came back to bite me in the ass though, my father was going to kill me because of the insanely high telephone bill he got that month.
I consider it stupid for somebody to have wireless in their home and not set up a strong password but last time I checked victim stupidity isn't a defense in court for the person taking advantage of them. I don't know if it is flat out illegal but in today's era of internet connections where more and more companies are adopting data caps I would hate to see somebody have a larger bill because their neighbor was stealing their connection. Or worse, the thief used the connection for illegal activity (child porn, hacking, etc) and their neighbor was investigated over it.
If it isn't password protected then it's an open wifi network and thus free game. If you have to use a password sniffer to crack their password in order to access their network then yes it is stealing.
The only way you would be stealing it is if you hacked their password. If it isn't passworded, then it is free for anybody in range.
No. Until you have someone's express permission it is still considered theft of service.
Thanks for sharing your opinion.
It's not an opinion. It's a fact. Greyseal said it perfectly, just because someone didn't lock their car doesn't mean you're allowed to take it and do with it as you will. That's still considered theft.
Victim? Do you consider it a crime, because using Wifi isn't that bad. I actually have a friend who pirates from any Wifi he finds, never have seen him in a jail.
The only way you would be stealing it is if you hacked their password. If it isn't passworded, then it is free for anybody in range.
This doesn't make sense. It's like saying that someone hasn't stolen your car if you neglected to lock it.
Are you an idiot or just trying to play the role? No it isn't the same. You take my car and you go to jail. I use your unpassworded wifi and there isn't shit you can do because no laws were broken. I really hope you were just trying to play the stupid role here and weren't really serious with your comment and comparison
You have no clue what you're talking about. Just because people don't usually get caught stealing wifi doesn't mean it's not a crime.
Victim? Do you consider it a crime, because using Wifi isn't that bad. I actually have a friend who pirates from any Wifi he finds, never have seen him in a jail.
Against the law is against the law.....not bad is subjective. I'd imagine if it was your wifi you'd sing a different tune.
It is not stealing, the people who have wifi should make sure other people are not on it as well, simple as.
If everyone used this logic then nothing would be a crime. Oh, that boy who got murdered should have known better! It couldn't possibly be the fault of the man who killed him! Little Timmy should have been more aware!
The only way you would be stealing it is if you hacked their password. If it isn't passworded, then it is free for anybody in range.
This doesn't make sense. It's like saying that someone hasn't stolen your car if you neglected to lock it.
Are you an idiot or just trying to play the role? No it isn't the same. You take my car and you go to jail. I use your unpassworded wifi and there isn't shit you can do because no laws were broken. I really hope you were just trying to play the stupid role here and weren't really serious with your comment and comparison
You have no clue what you're talking about. Just because people don't usually get caught stealing wifi doesn't mean it's not a crime.
One man even got arrested for stealing wi-fi.
Here is something a bit more recent for you. http://www.wired.com/magazine/2011/03/pr_burning_wifi_squatting/
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