After taking a bit of time to think through the issue that arose this afternoon, I am ready to delineate my philosophy on using a neighbor's wireless network in an area of high residential density. Due to the fact that it is so easy to secure, merely using a neighbor's network does not constitute theft or any ethical breach given the following standards are met: First, the access cannot use more bandwidth than the owner is likely to notice. Checking emails and most webpages are fine, downloading one mp3 at a time is also OK. Downloading movies or sharing on a peer-to-peer network is not.
Even if the subscriber is so naive to not know that someone else may be using their network does not permit the borrower from using more than a sliver of bandwidth.
We've all been in the situation where we really need to check an email and nothing but locked networks appear nearby. So an open network serves a social need and we should not punish these (naive or kind, take your pick) subscribers for their service.
Given the relatively fair prices for bandwidth these days, sharing should only be done by those who either can't afford it or who follow the above criteria, IMHO.
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New York state (and others I imagne) has made it explicitly _legal_ to use an open network for non-malicious purposes. the illegality is more likely with the provider: the person operating the network may have consented to license requirements restricting use to household members or some similar group.
i did not invite my neighbors electromagnetic radiation into my home. He/she should keep it out or keep it free.
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