sharing bandwidth--legal question

jschaud · #1 05-03-2007, 09:19 AM

Just wondering if anyone has been caught sharing their bandwidth with neighbors. I am thinking about halving my internet access with a neighbor.

I also live within range of a hotel that offers free internet access. I was thinking about setting up a repeater to just use their access.

What is the worst thing you think that could happen if I get caught?

SamIAm · #2 05-03-2007, 09:57 AM

[ QUOTE ]
What is the worst thing you think that could happen if I get caught?

[/ QUOTE ]
Absolutely nothing?

goldtoes · #3 05-03-2007, 10:41 AM

there is no way they would be able to know it was you. the only people that have ever gotten "caught" for stealing wireless are the ones war driving around and parking in front of houses with a laptop.

CORed · #4 05-03-2007, 12:05 PM

If you and a neighbor split the cost of service by mutual agreement and share it over wireless, you are certainly not doing anything illegal. You might be violating the ISP's terms of service, but your chances of getting caught are minimal (how do they know which house a PC connected by wireless is in) and the worst that could happen would be that the service gets canceled. Using the hotel's service is a little more iffy, legally speaking, but I think your chances of getting caught are minimal.

nuclear500 · #5 05-03-2007, 02:53 PM

You do know that every wireless DHCP device keeps an active log of the MAC addresses that IP's have been given to. That MAC address can be traced to the store the card was sold at and if a credit card was used, then who the buyer was.

Additionally, you can easily track wireless signals in either direction with the right tools.

If they want to find you, they can and will.

bluey · #6 05-03-2007, 03:00 PM

they arent going to care.

goldtoes · #7 05-03-2007, 03:07 PM

[ QUOTE ]
You do know that every wireless DHCP device keeps an active log of the MAC addresses that IP's have been given to. That MAC address can be traced to the store the card was sold at and if a credit card was used, then who the buyer was.

Additionally, you can easily track wireless signals in either direction with the right tools.

If they want to find you, they can and will.

[/ QUOTE ]

lol

guys, come here and look at this ... we have 28 rooms with people in it tonight, but look! there is 29 clients receiving addresses! let's get em!

Sotiria · #8 05-03-2007, 04:24 PM

[ QUOTE ]
You do know that every wireless DHCP device keeps an active log of the MAC addresses that IP's have been given to. That MAC address can be traced to the store the card was sold at and if a credit card was used, then who the buyer was.

Additionally, you can easily track wireless signals in either direction with the right tools.

If they want to find you, they can and will.

[/ QUOTE ]

Who are "they" and LOL at MAC addresses.

nuclear500 · #9 05-03-2007, 04:50 PM

[ QUOTE ]

If they want to find you, they can and will.

[/ QUOTE ]

glad my point sailed over your head

jschaud · #10 05-03-2007, 05:46 PM

cool, thx. I am thinking I set up my router to repeat their signal and use WPA on my 'private' network.