is this illegal Yes.. 1. its theft of someone's electricity (albeit a very small amount) 2. its hacking into a private network. However.. No, as you're not hacking, hacking is gaining unallowed access. You have been given access, as the network is an open one, anyone can join, as it's not protected, it has no restrictions.
Stealing broadband is theft. People stealing broadband often do it for fraudulant reasons and downloading illegal things. If someone downloads kiddyporn sitting outside your house it will be traced to you ip. Also newer routers show who is connected. I wouldn't be ammused if i found someone nicking my broadband. If you pay for sky would you be happy with people looking through your window to watch the footy? Wouldn't bother me ................ ...................as long as it wasen't clinty.:^O HAVE A GOOD XMAS
"No, as you're not hacking, hacking is gaining unallowed access. You have been given access, as the network is an open one, anyone can join, as it's not protected, it has no restrictions" using someones broadband is theft and you can be prosecuted. If you leave something unattended and unprotected can i just take it without fear of prosecution after all it is unprotected. If you put your pint down to go to the bog can i just drink it? Do you know if you pick something up dumped in a backlane you can be prosecuted for "theft by find" It happened to my mate who picked up an old tv when he was doing electronics at college just to have a go at fixing it. As for using someones broadband not being theft http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/birminghampost/news/tm_headline=man-arrested-over-wi-fi-broadband-theft&method=full&objectid=19672330&siteid=50002-namepage.html
Extension, Wireless is completely fine to use for domestic purposes as long as you secure the router appropriately:- 1. Change the default admin password on the router. 2. Enable MAC address filtering, so only your machine(s) can communicate with the router. 3. Disable SSID broadcasting on the router. 4. Enable WPA encryption (or WEP if this is not available). Not hard to do and will only take 5-10 mins. Then now I know, andy.sp