zeg
Well-Known Member
IMO it depends on the circumstances. If it's brief and low-data volume and for an urgent, legitimate (and legal) need, I think it's ethically ok. Otherwise, no.
Basically, if you know (or were to later find out) whose network it is, would you feel comfortable bumping into them and saying, "Hey, by the way, I had to do XYZ yesterday and my network was down, so I borrowed your connection"?
That's the test I would apply, and I would further suggest that "'fessing" up like that is also a good idea, just in case they do have a problem with it. (In which case you apologize and don't do it again, whether or not they secure it.)
I'd be a bit careful with this. I'm not a lawyer, but I don't think it's fair to make such a sweeping statement that it's not a criminal act. I have certainly seen multiple reputable reports of people getting into legal trouble for this (or technically very similar activities). If you are connecting to a wireless access point, you are accessing a private network, even if the only thing you use it for is transmitting packets to/from the Internet.
A couple potentially useful links, though the first is somewhat dated and unsourced. Note in particular in the second that "New York law is the most permissive" on the subject (though the cited reference seems to be a dead link).
http://www.dslreports.com/faq/13052
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legality_of_piggybacking (see the "United States" section)
Basically, if you know (or were to later find out) whose network it is, would you feel comfortable bumping into them and saying, "Hey, by the way, I had to do XYZ yesterday and my network was down, so I borrowed your connection"?
That's the test I would apply, and I would further suggest that "'fessing" up like that is also a good idea, just in case they do have a problem with it. (In which case you apologize and don't do it again, whether or not they secure it.)
I've never heard of anyone being sued for using another's wireless. And I assure you it is not a criminal act in any way, shape or form.
I'd be a bit careful with this. I'm not a lawyer, but I don't think it's fair to make such a sweeping statement that it's not a criminal act. I have certainly seen multiple reputable reports of people getting into legal trouble for this (or technically very similar activities). If you are connecting to a wireless access point, you are accessing a private network, even if the only thing you use it for is transmitting packets to/from the Internet.
A couple potentially useful links, though the first is somewhat dated and unsourced. Note in particular in the second that "New York law is the most permissive" on the subject (though the cited reference seems to be a dead link).
http://www.dslreports.com/faq/13052
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legality_of_piggybacking (see the "United States" section)