Would you use a neighbour's broadband?

percyplant

we have a router at home and both my son and myself share the connection. its not secure as far a I know, but then I dont know anything about these things. sometimes it goes really slow and I suspect that someone else might be using it but dont know what to do about it. any advice on how to check for security

reehsetin

bertie2000 wrote: »

With the increasing popularity of Wi-Fi hotspots and online shopping, fraudsters have started using a new trick to prey on the less vigilant. They log on to a wi-fi network and then set up their own wi-fi network with a very similar name so the average user will not notice. Once the unsuspecting user is connected to the phony network, every keystroke is recorded. All the fraudster needs is one person to enter their credit card details and they can then spend the day shopping. It is very hard then for the victim to prove they did not spend the money.

did you see it on the real hustle? the likelyhood of that actually happening is very low plusa lot of places you dont log on and give a credit card number you buy time at a till and enter a code on the computer

Ex0du5_2169

well, it's technically known as wardriving, purposely looking for unsecured wireless networks and using them for whatever purpose..

and no matter what you think, a wireless network (except maybe the new prototype 802.11n class, it's currently awaiting approval for the particular RF it uses) can never be secured, you may think you're current security package or encryption may cover it but you'd be wrong, in fact, my psp can use encrypted wireless networks (simply for the net connection but you get my drift).

the fact that these connections cannot be secured is bad but the risk of people purposely trying to view your personal files is minimal. don't let it put you off if you really want it.

if you really want to connect to someone elses wireless network just make sure the throughput is around 50% or higher and their bitrate is either of the 802.11b standard or higher, this way they won't notice. or just be nice and make arrangements like decent folk.

anyways, that my opinions.

rockabilly_spike

My opinions as a PC sales person is
that if people havent researched and read their instructions correctly or even if someone has been to the house to install the WIFI network and not made it secure as a default, then these folk are leaving themselves open to attack.
would they buy a new door and not put a lock on it?
would they leave their car alarm off cos they didnt read the instructions on how to enable it?

as for the people that do nick someone's connection without permission.
its stealing, simple as that.
You know what you're doing and you do it anyways, no excuses.
You're taking something that someone else is paying for without asking.
however small anyone sees it as, its the principal.
sharing is when both sides have agreed.
when one side doesnt know...thats stealing.
Borrow it once or twice in an emergency...OK forgivable
Use it more frequently and you're a criminal.
GET YOUR OWN CONNECTION OR SORT IT OUT WITH YOUR NEIGHBOUR

So folks when you buy your wireless kit, ask about security, if the sales people cannot help, talk to other PC sales in your local area, look on the net, consult the help and tech people at the router manufacturer's website.
Above all, do your own homework, don't expect others to do it for you.

noelb_2

I just completed the survey and found that 39% would "…use it happily, without telling them".

No surprises here, a large percentage of people would happily freeload off others – following the great British axiom "if it's not bolted down then take it."

I guess that’s what getting out of debt and being British is all about. Congratulations.

crazy_chick_573

i'm doing it at the mo. i bought a router and it's set up but my laptop connects but not to the internet so i use someone elses. i'd never hack into theirs but might as well use their connection.

Roger_Rampant

we have a router at home and both my son and myself share the connection. its not secure as far a I know, but then I dont know anything about these things. sometimes it goes really slow and I suspect that someone else might be using it but dont know what to do about it. any advice on how to check for security

Well I have a router at home and both myself and my daughter use my connection, but it's a wired network so it's not a problem - are you and your son using wireless connections? Also it's quite common to have a slowing down during peak times, especially for cable customers, apparently...

Fluid

I have 2 connections on my house both free with other things, (phone and Virgin) 1 of them is secured the other isnt, reason being I cannot be bothered to secure it ! not that I dont know how, so I see this almost an open invitation to people near me to use it.

When I have been away on business I have opened up laptop to read or send some important emails using other peoples access, and if they are anyting like me then they probably dont mind. It is open for abuse and this is sad in this day an age, I would advise anyone to secure there access and not to be as lazy as me.

I might actually do it I just wrote this post, its no harder lol.

masonic

I am told that there are people who hang around airports and other public places with open Wi-Fi connections with the express intention of luring people to connect to them, so that they can break into those computers - far easier than phishing, as they don't even have to lure them to a particular webpage: they are in complete control of all the data being transmitted to the person that connects to them. I really wouldn't ever connect to someone elses wireless internet, not out of fear of the law etc, but because it isn't safe.

bigandra

It sounds too good to be true that you could actually use a neighbours broadband be aware though: -
You would need a certain level of technical competence to do so and most importantly it's technically theft. Essentially you are stealing someones bandwidth and, common sense dictates that you cant just help yourself to a service or physical item that someone else owns and pays for (without their permission). The laws on "piggybacking" or "leeching" vary from country to country, it's a grey area and there is much written/discussed about it on the net.
There are many arguments ranging from "Why am I stealing if the signal is entering my house" etc however, remembering that most ISPs cap the amount of data you can download, were you to jump onto someone elses network and download Gigabytes worth of data, essentially you would be taking money straight from their pockets as they would foot the bill for the excess data downloaded.
It's a complex one and I suppose it all boils down to ethics. Me? Just as I lock my house and car doors to stop someone else using them, I also lock down my wireless connection. If you choose to install the wireless network yourself, there are many simple guides on the net to secure it, and, if you pay someone to install it, by default (if they are providing a decent service) they should ensure it's secured against intrusion and the data is also encrypted. I've not got much of a view on it, just thought I'd post the facts as I know them for info.
In answer to percyplant, it's not so difficult to do. Have a look at this http://www.practicallynetworked.com/support/wireless_secure.htm all the settings they talk about are changed usually by accessing the routers config pages via your web browser (usually) http:\\192.168.0.1 or http:\\192.168.1.1 (you will be asked to log onto the router using a username and password) Go to your router manufacturers website if you dont have the manual and you will find the default password for your router type. When you get in there do change that password as it is a default and hackers could easily guess it. Hope that helps.