by Mark Dunne
Many people use someone elses wireless network to connect to the internet, without paying for it or even asking for permission. In most countries, entering a private network is not legal if this network is not open. The truth is that most wireless networks have at least one security method enabled, so anyone who chooses to bust this security and bypass it is actually breaking the law. As far as it legally goes, accessing and using the resources of a system or network that does not belong to you and without the permission of the owner is forbidden and you can be prosecuted for this.

The meaning of this law is questionable is some cases. People think that open networks are opened for everyones use. I can not tell is this is ethical or not, but I can ask you this: If a neighboring accidentally waters part of your garden, without wanting it and knowing it, will you not be benefiting from his resources? Of course you will, because your flowers will get watered as well. If the range of its watering machine is too big that it reaches your location, you do not have to pay for his mistake. Some people find the similarities in this comparison and they say that it is ethical to access and open network, because it is the fault of the owner for letting it open. In less words, you owe nothing to those leaving the networks open if you access them and use their internet connection.

But if you choose to enter those networks and then destroy their information on the computer or copy confidential files, that is a different matter. If someone loses the wallet with the identity card in it, it doesnt mean you can take that ID and then use it as your own. The same goes for computer files. If they are not yours, it doesnt matter how easy they were to access, they still remain not yours and you should not access or use them unless the owner allows you to.

Now, everyone mustve used a wifi networks without an invitation. First of all, there are plenty of free hotspots that allow people to connect freely to those networks. And in other cases, there are situations in which you have no other alternative of connection to the internet and you happen to find a free open wireless connection in the area. If, on the other hand you are entering wireless networks that are encrypted or secured with passwords, things are very different. Even if it seems easy to crack them or if you can find free tools on the internet that can help you enter those password protected networks without permission, this doesnt mean it is legal to do so.

My opinion on this is clear: if I leave my wireless open, I have no problems if someone else is using the internet connection. If it is encrypted even a little bit, then that person accessing my wireless is doing something illegal, because he is cracking a password to gain access. It is as simple as that. For those people that are accessing other open wireless networks, you should limit the connection to browsing and mail, and not use up all the broadband of those people because in the end the law is not clear on this and it all comes down to common sense.

Mark Dunne is a writer providing advice on How Do I Get A Wireless Router To Work On My Laptop if you have time drop by his site for some tips and information.

Article Source: PLJMagazine.com