Wifi Ethics

[Buddhaboy]

What do you do when you come across an open wifi access point?

I'm not talking about places like Pier One which offer free wifi access to their customers but about places that just happen to have access points that aren't password protected. I've come across a couple the past few weeks.

Do you assume that because the owner did not bother to set a password and disable SSID broadcasting that his access point is open to anyone who can access it?

I do and surf away.

What would you guys do?



I have a Linksys WRT54G at home and because I'm a selfish little gnome, I set the WPA password as well as disabled SSID broadcasting. I'd open it up if my neighbors ask nicely though.

:roll:

[maryannemoll]

i'd surf. but that's hypothetical because i don't have wifi. but if i did, i'd do as you do.

ok ba? he he

[iVinchy]

wi-Finders keepers..... :

of course, id use the free access... 60 minutes is enough

[elbert]

You're walking down the street on a hot summer afternoon. You're thirsty and you find a faucet in front of someone's house. Do you drink from it?

My mom always told me "If it's not yours, don't take it". Sabagay, bandwidth isn't free, but it's usually a fixed cost (unlike water, which is metered). So if it's not being used, then it's bandwidth unused, but paid for.

I'll drink the water and surf to my heart's desire :lol:

labo ba?

[dust]

I'd publish it on PhilMUG.

[elbert]

Seriously, the air is free. It's the responsibility of the owner to secure his network if he/she doesn't want to 'share' his bandwidth with the rest of the world.

But I'll make sure not to be a burden to the owner. For example, if I find that the speed is capped to say, 128kbps, I'll limit my use to e-mail, chat and surfing (no heavy downloads, etc). But if I find that the backhaul is fast, say over 1Mbps, I'll fire up Limewire or download car p0rn.

Most of the time, open AP's are a result of cluelessness (is there such a word?), so why give the owner a hard time?

[Edited on 5-11-2004 by elbertc]

[elbert]

Originally posted by dust
I'd publish it on PhilMUG.

Please, don't do that. That's not the kind of help/resource we're looking for here in PhilMUG.

[ruger]

ill tell the owner about it.. after using it first haha maybe after telling the owner, he'll give me access for free for my "good" deed

[Henjie]

I'd "borrow" the bandwidth. Hopefully, the owner is not using one of those Plan 1500 (or whatever) DSL subscriptions that are not unlimited.

Or I can offer the owner my services. Secure his wireless network for a minimal fee. ;-)


~Henjie

[Carlo]

I have caught strangers mooching off my WiFi. Most of the time, I am more amazed than upset. I am amused that they found it even when my house is actually hidden from public view. I laugh then I release my angry little dog... :evil:



[Edited on 5-11-2004 by Carlo]