[X4U] Man arrested for using Open Wireless network (was Re: Wireless "theft" )

[Judi Sohn]

On 7/7/05, Timothy Luoma <lists at tntluoma.com> wrote:
> 
> http://www.sptimes.com/2005/07/04/State/Wi_Fi_cloaks_a_new_br.shtml
> 
> Man arrested for using open wireless
> 
> "Police say Benjamin Smith III, 41, used his Acer brand laptop to
> hack into Dinon's wireless Internet network. The April 20 arrest is
> considered the first of its kind in Tampa Bay and among only a few so
> far nationwide."
> 

It was an open network. How much "hack" did it take for the guy to
click on the button that says "connect"?

I'm sorry, but I believe that there is either more the article isn't
saying (was the man downloading porn or illegal files? did he "hack"
into the so-called victim's network and look at his personal stuff?
there was also tresspassing involved since the guy was sitting in the
driveway.) or it's a bogus arrest. In other cases precedent is being
established that not putting security on your wifi network is the same
as saying "come on in". The article even said: "Dinon knew what to do.
"But I never did it because my neighbors are older." "

Because I live in a tighter community now I have WPA security on my
network. But Tiger on the kids' Mac Mini is so flakey that sometimes
the kids (or I) will switch over to an open/unsecured connection when
the connection to my modem decides to take a siesta. All the kids do
is play games or send email to Grandma, should they be arrested for
it?

-- 
Judi Sohn, judi at momathome.com
Mom at Home Design, http://www.momathome.com
AIM: JudiS217