Internet Wireless Piggybackers Beware.

utilitybroker

LONDON (Reuters) - Two people have been arrested and cautioned for using someone else's wireless Internet connection without permission, known as "piggy-backing", police said on Wednesday.

The practice, which sharply divides Internet users, has been fuelled by the rapid growth of fast wireless broadband in homes and people's failure to secure their networks.

"On Saturday, a man was arrested after neighbours spotted him sitting in a car outside a home in Redditch, Worcestershire, using a laptop computer to browse the Internet.A 29-year-old woman was also arrested in a car in a similar incident in the same area last month.

Both received an official caution, a formal warning one step short of prosecution, for "dishonestly obtaining electronic communications services with intent to avoid payment"."

http://uk.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUKL1848090220070418

normanmark

I think people should be a bit more aware of secure networks rather than the police arresting people for this kind of a petty crime!

mrJ_5

petty.... so you think it's right for people to use your broadband connection for free, and thus being able to get your credit card details, and other usernames and passwords, as well as let them watch !!!!!!, download child !!!!!!, and download other illegal content - such as bomb making, music, movies

at the end of the day, once the police hit the household for downloading illegal material (mainly child !!!!!!) - you would be the one who is the victim, even if you didn't do the crime

or even when a series of strange purchases are made using your details, or even money transferred from your online bank account - the bank won't give it back to you, since you have disclosed your details without actually knowing it

but I agree, the more people are shown that they should secure their network by some arrests, the better everyone will be - since it shows people that it does actually happen

normanmark

mrJ wrote: »

petty.... so you think it's right for people to use your broadband connection for free, and thus being able to get your credit card details, and other usernames and passwords, as well as let them watch !!!!!!, download child !!!!!!, and download other illegal content - such as bomb making, music, movies

at the end of the day, once the police hit the household for downloading illegal material (mainly child !!!!!!) - you would be the one who is the victim, even if you didn't do the crime

or even when a series of strange purchases are made using your details, or even money transferred from your online bank account - the bank won't give it back to you, since you have disclosed your details without actually knowing it

but I agree, the more people are shown that they should secure their network by some arrests, the better everyone will be - since it shows people that it does actually happen

Would you leave your front door unlocked & be suprised when things go missing?

Same applies with your broadband, if you're foolish enough to leave the network open for other people to use the connection then i dont have much sympathy

snails's_pace

mines all locked down and completely safe. I do agree tho, that why should someone else get the use of something I am paying for...if i re routed nextdoors electric supply to my house I get arrested too