going wifi

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Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2007 8:04 pm

im getting a lappy with the wifi option so i can surf the local bars networks free of charge and to take on hols.
what happens when i piggy back someone elses connection with regards to do they know who i am and what im doing.
not that i will be doing anything illegal before the question is raised

Shocked

i led to believe that the wifi connection gives you a new ip address from different locations not like my pc plugged in at home which has a fixed ip(am i right in saying this??)

i have lately borrowed a wifi lappy and was impressed when i piggied someone elses tinternet cause they had their wireless modem unsecured.which is a worry as i 'could' of downloaded as many files as i wanted free and very quick

amazing
why pay for tinternet when you can get it for nowt im now asking

Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2007 8:13 pm

If the person who's network you're on has software monitoring or logging the connections, they could potentially see exactly what you're doing unless you're sending data encrypted, much in the same way as if you're accessing the network at your school or workplace, your activities can me monitored or logged.

Yep, your IP address will most likely be dynamically assigned. You're most likely to be assigned a private IP address, with your public IP address showing up as that of the router providing the Internet connection to the wireless parts of the network.

Edit: Unless, of course, it's your network in which case you could set it up to assign the same IP address to you each time. But public wifi connections will be set up with DHCP to assign you a new (private) one each time.

Arguably, it's stealing. Arguably, it's their own fault if they aren't bothered enough to secure their connection.

Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2007 8:18 pm

Quote:

Arguably, it's stealing. Arguably, it's their own fault if they aren't bothered enough to secure their connection.

I like to compare it with this: If someone accidentaley leaves the door to his house open and walks away, would it be ok for you to just go in and steal his stuff? I guess not....it�s the same with an unsecured WLAN for me Smile

Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2007 8:19 pm

^^^ I agree, I just said "arguably" to point out some peoples' point of view Wink

Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2007 8:21 pm

^^^^ already thought so. Just wanted to add a nice comparison for it Smile

Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2007 8:25 pm

Its theft.
But thats your call.
Im not sure why you think your home ip is static?

Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2007 8:27 pm

^^^ Maybe he's got a static IP address? You can certainly get them from some home ISPs in the UK, I believe BT do them (or at least used to).

Not quite a Newb Joined: 17 Dec 2006 Posts: 22

Very likely any public networks (like the ones you get in some of the chains of coffee shops and pubs Wetherspoons) are likely to be encrypted.

You will need to have a key to be able to get on. One you will have to pay for.

If you cruise around the local streets though you will find many that are not key protected. These are obviously the less net savvy people. Good idea to do it in your car though. The neighbors may not take to kindly to you net surfing sat on their front wall with a laptop on your knees
Laughing

If I balance my laptop on my TV by the front window of my house I can see 9 local networks. Of these 4 are unlocked..

The mind boggles that so many people can 'leave their front door open'

Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2007 9:28 pm

I live on a small hill and had to turn the radio off on my router. WEP was not enough protection. It takes a while to hack but people were doing it. The first time I noticed a slow down, went into the street and asked a guy sitting in his car what he was doing with the his laptop.
The second time was the last time. I only use wireless when its totally legitimate and it is in so many places that there is no reason to steal. The first time I fired up my PSP on the dentist's office I was able to see 7 networks, of which two were free.

Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2007 9:38 pm

The net is public domain, the home is not Wink

But yah, I was in an apartment, and ganking one of about 5 connections that were near enough to me to use.

Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2007 9:41 pm

^^^ reminds me of this bash.org quote:
http://www.bash.org/?202477

Laughing

Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2007 9:51 pm

@Connie L. Gus,

The way WEP encryption works is inherently insecure. WPA is much more secure, if your router and your network cards support it. All modern hardware should support it.

Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2007 9:56 pm

This was the first time someone was prosecuted for wireless hacking in the UK, back in July 2005.

Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2007 10:34 pm

well very interesting reading
thanks for the info everyone.
ive just been on hols to tallinn where every pub and bar there was someone with a lappy on the net.seems quite a different set up in other countries.
i do sympathise with the authorities when it comes to prosecution for stealing
but if someone leaves thier connection open so be it if someone finds it.

i hope wifi doesnt suddenly end,which i personally think it wont, cause of all the business people in airports and hotels etc.

thanks for clarification on the ip on the lappy.

Wink

Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2007 10:41 pm

remmy223 wrote:

as i 'could' of downloaded as many files as i wanted free and very quick

Make sure Webster's is one of them.

Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2007 10:44 pm

remmy223 wrote:

im getting a lappy with the wifi option so i can surf the local bars networks free of charge and to take on hols. ...

Could you repeat that in English? Confused

Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2007 10:59 pm

^^^ I think what he means is:
"I'm purchasing a laptop computer with a wireless network interface card to that I can connect to the internet without payment in local bars and take it on my holidays" Wink

Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 12:11 am

perfect english sir
im sorry if my abreviations confuse some

Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 12:14 am

What's the difference between a 419 scammer and somebody who steals other people's bandwidth.

None. Both are thieves.

Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 2:20 am

Yes. It makes me wonder why someone would be against 419 scams but high jack a private wifi connection and see nothing wrong. Then use the argument that if they leave themselves open they deserve it.

Why not go tell the people they are wide open and how to lock it down.

Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 2:31 am

[After plowing through loads of crappy English again I saw this sentence:]

remmy223 wrote:

... not that i will be doing anything illegal ...

Bullshit.