Thread: The legalities of wardriving.

Originally Posted by PURDooM

No ****. I thought that on page 4 or so.

samc: , you gonna cry too? I think you are missing the point. I will go and take services and do just about anything as long as I won't get caught and nobody gets hurt. I wouldn't stop and think 'is this legal' if I wanted map directions and I was near someones house in downtown Minneapolis.

However, the whole point of this theread is what is legal if someone questioned you. I mean yes, you can do anything you want and probably won't get caught but in the off chance you are caught, what is within your right? And the consensus of the discussion is wardriving is legal, connecting isn't. But how severe the crime of connecting is the real issue; nobody has any real facts, just weak analogies (really weak in your case) and half assed stories. A few people quoted laws, but other people promptly ignored them because they want to justify the scanning and connecting that they use all the time. (

I should go call the cop that tried to get my friend convicted of using my neighbors AP and ask him what the fine or charge would have been.

Which state?

minnesota

Cry? just what are you talking about?

So you'd do the same as many of us and yes what are the chances you'd get caught? So you agree with everything I said but your trying to throw in a fancy term to negate it for some reason?

Do you really think your neighbor who left their network open is smart enough to figure out who is connecting to their network?

Originally Posted by PURDooM

minnesota

609.891 Unauthorized computer access.

Subdivision 1. Crime. A person is guilty of
unauthorized computer access if the person intentionally and
without authority attempts to or does penetrate a computer
security system.

Subd. 2a. Authorization. "Authorization" means with the permission of the owner of the computer, computer system, computer network, computer software, or other property. Authorization may be limited by the owner by:

(1) giving the user actual notice orally or in writing;

(2) posting a written notice in a prominent location adjacent to the computer being used; or

(3) using a notice displayed on or announced by the computer being used.

609.87 Computer crime; definitions.

Subd. 2. Access. "Access" means to instruct,
communicate with, store data in, or retrieve data from a
computer, computer system, or computer network.

Subd. 5. Computer network. "Computer network" means the interconnection of a communication system with a computer through a remote terminal, or with two or more interconnected computers or computer systems, and includes private and public telecommunications networks.

Originally Posted by samc

Cry? just what are you talking about?

So you'd do the same as many of us and yes what are the chances you'd get caught? So you agree with everything I said but your trying to throw in a fancy term to negate it for some reason?

Do you really think your neighbor who left their network open is smart enough to figure out who is connecting to their network?

Maybe they left it open for a reason. Maybe they have older hardware that can 't do the newer encryption that their access point uses. Or maybe they just don't like you and are waiting for you to connect to steal your e-mail passwords.

How about this scenario?

I'm a complete noob to the wireless scene. I buy a Linksys router and set it to unsecured, wideopen mode. The default SSID is "linksys." I also set my laptop to automatically connect to the above mentioned "linksys" network.

My next door neighbor also has a wideopen, unsecured linksys router with the SSID "linksys." He has a super duper hugeass wireless antenna that can overpower my tiny router.

So I'm sitting inside my house using my laptop. My laptop sees both "linksys" networks but since my neighbor's has stronger signal, it decides to connect to his instead. So all the while I'm surfing the web, I'm unknowingly using my neighbor's network because there's nothing telling me that the "linksys" network I'm using is not mine. (I know you can check the MAC address but again, I'm a noob here).

Is what I'm doing illegal?

Originally Posted by BarryWoods

Maybe they left it open for a reason. Maybe they have older hardware that can 't do the newer encryption that their access point uses. Or maybe they just don't like you and are waiting for you to connect to steal your e-mail passwords.

No, he was just an idiot. I guess he had some credit card fraud going on, and when he saw a kid with a laptop outside his house he ran out, yelled at him, took his plates, and called the cops. 3 months later I was brought in for questioning on how I was part of all this, I said friend was using my network (he was in fact using my neighbors) and then we basically discussed how my neighbor is too dumb to secure his crap.

The cop added on: You don't know anyone who does this wardriving, do you? (me: no) I mean, at the end of the week when I want to have fun I go to a bar or grill some steaks or something. My idea of fun isnt trying to get someones internet for ****s and giggles.

The guy definatly knew what he was talking about; at least the cops in my area are aware of wireless networks and the ramifications of them.

Originally Posted by samc

So you agree with everything I said but your trying to throw in a fancy term to negate it for some reason?

Basically. I am saying your logic is flawed, therefore your argument is flawed. Or in non fancy term speak: You are too dumb to make sense.

Purdoom again what are you talking about? Are you referring to something that happened in your own life and got caught for? This is not what we are talking about.

Why are you trying to insult me? You admit to doing the same types of things yet you're to call me dumb? This is a chat forum so no need to try and personally attack someone to make youself feel better about yourself. You're probably no different from me.

The other guy, who knows? I mean if his computer connected to your network one day, would you even know? Call it neighborly love.