Official News - page 11

REAL LIFE NEWS: MAN ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH STEALING BROADBAND

by Hazed

With the rise in use of wireless internet connections, it became something of a game for people with laptops to roam around looking for unprotected networks which they could log onto, thus accessing the internet without having to pay for a connection. It was known as wardriving, and extended to warchalking, where those that discovered such unsecured networks would leave chalk marks on pavements or buildings to indicate to others that here they could find free access.

But suddenly, it doesn't seem so much fun any more. A 39-year-old London man has been arrested for using someone else's wireless internet connection without permission. Police officers spotted the man using a laptop as he sat on a wall outside a house in Chiswich, west London. He told officers he had browsed the net using an unsecured broadband link from a nearby house - so they arrested him. He's been released on police bail.

The long arm of the law clearly believes they have thwarted a major crime here. "This arrest should act as a warning to anyone who thinks it is acceptable to illegally use other people's broadband connections," said the Metropolitan Police's Detective Constable Mark Roberts. Gosh, yes, well done officers!

This arrest has resulted in a great deal of debate about whether logging onto unsecured networks should be a crime or not. In the UK, it is against the law - the Computer Misuse Act and the Communications Act both cover it. But is it really "stealing"? It doesn't do any harm to the owner of the connection (unless the so-called criminal downloads enough stuff hit usage limits imposed by ISPs). It's not like stealing something physical, which deprives the real owner.

On the other hand, just because someone is stupid enough to leave their network unsecured, it doesn't mean it's right to take advantage of their idiocy.

What's clear is that a lot of people don't understand the security implications of running a wireless network - not just that they could be offering "free broadband" to all their neighbours, but also that it could leave the way open for identify thieves to rummage around and steal personal details and credit card details.

Perhaps ISPs should really take a bit more responsibility in making sure their customers know how to secure their connections.

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