XPost: alt.comp.os.windows-11, alt.comp.os.windows-10   
   From: robin_listas@es.invalid   
      
   On 2025-12-01 15:50, Marian wrote:   
   > Carlos E.R. wrote:   
   >>>     As to "bandwidth theft": I'm sure his accidental use, doesn't deserve   
   >>> your harsh condemnation.   
   >>   
   >> In my view, using an open WiFi is permitted.   
   >   
   > I agree with both Carlos & Frank since I agree with anyone, no matter who   
   > they are, if they post a reasonably sensibly logically stated view.   
   >   
   > However... I just looked up US case law on this topic for the first time,   
   > and while case law may well differ in Frank's & Carlos' location across the   
   > pond, I'm assuming the OP is in the United States whose law I looked up.   
   >   
   > Below is a copied-and-pasted response from the references...   
   >   
   > In the United States, using a neighbor's open Wi-Fi without permission is   
   > generally considered unauthorized access under federal and state law. Even   
   > if the network is unsecured, courts have treated this as potentially   
   > illegal. Case law and statutes (like the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act)   
   > support that "piggybacking" on someone else's Wi-Fi can be prosecuted,   
   > though enforcement is rare unless other crimes are involved.   
   >   
   > Federal Law - Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA): The CFAA (18 U.S.C. Sec.   
   > 1030) makes it a crime to intentionally access a "protected computer"   
   > without authorization. Courts have interpreted Wi-Fi routers and networks   
   > as "protected computers." Thus, connecting to a neighbor's Wi-Fi without   
   > consent can fall under this statute.   
   >   
   > Many states have their own computer crime statutes that prohibit   
   > unauthorized access to networks. For example, Florida and Michigan have   
   > prosecuted individuals for unauthorized Wi-Fi use under state computer   
   > crime laws.   
      
   But how do you know it is not authorized?   
      
   By default, a phone will connect to an open WiFi without asking. At   
   least, it was so several years ago, I don't know currently because the   
   configuration is cloned from one phone to the next.   
      
   And Windows I think does the same, which is, I understand, what happened   
   to the OP.   
      
   I take that "looking" inside the network is not legal. But using a WiFi   
   that is open? I know some people that intentionally left their WiFi open   
   to any one that wanted. That was the view.   
      
   But then, USA people are quite paranoid about private property, and can   
   shoot an intruder without asking.   
      
      
   (several examples trimmed)   
      
      
   Here, some people were taken to court for "illegally downloading   
   movies". In their defence, they said that it was not them, but somebody   
   else using their WiFi, and the reverse could not be proven. They kept   
   their WiFi open. They won. :-D   
      
   --   
   Cheers, Carlos.   
   ES🇪🇸, EU🇪🇺;   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)