UK Police Cracking Down on Broadband Theft

dubculture writes "A 39 year-old man in West London was arrested for dishonestly obtaining free internet access" from an unsecured wireless router nearby. The article discusses a couple of other cases, including one where a fine of £500 (~US$1000) was handed out for, essentially, taking advantage of someone else's inability (read: apathy) towards securing their home network."

Comments

Hmmm.

[Colin Smith]

in Germany, pretty much all access points are secured. In the UK, pretty much only those owned by IT people.

In Germany the owner is responsible for the traffic. In the UK, they're not. Perhaps the average British person is just dumber than the average German. Perhaps personal responsibility makes a difference.

Re:Unlocked door?

[kimvette]

Broadcasting an SSID and not locking the WAP is an invitation to use the connection. Don't want people on it? Read the freaking manual and lock it down. Don't invite people in. This is akin to putting a television out on the front lawn with a sign saying "free TV" and then pressing charges for larceny when someone takes that advertised television.

HTH!