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MD Bill Would Criminalize Theft of Wireless Access
Pickens writes "A bill presented by Delegate LeRoy E. Myers Jr. to the Maryland House of Delegates would criminalize purposely surfing the Internet on someone else's wireless connection. The bill would make intentional unauthorized access to another person's computer, network, database, or software a misdemeanor with a penalty up to three years imprisonment and a fine of up to $1,000. The Maryland public defender's office has submitted written testimony opposing the specific ban and penalty suggested in Myers' bill. Noting that wireless connections are becoming common in neighborhoods, the written testimony says: 'A more effective way to prevent unauthorized access would be for owners to secure their wireless networks with assistance where necessary from Internet service providers or vendors.'"
A jury will determine. Duh. Do you know how the judicial system works?
Do you know what "probable cause" means? How about "reasonable doubt"?
Stop being scared of a perfectly reasonable law.
evil adrian
Let me ask you this: if this is the case, how can I tell people that they are actually allowed to use my unsecured wireless access point? For a house, a simple sign that says "Anyone, please enter" is enough. How does that work for the wireless router?
Simple. You ASK the owner of the wireless network.
The ssid is not a "sign." It's you going down the street and seeing my house on my property. If you can't reasonably figure out my intent, you err on the side of caution and you get my explicit permission. If you can't get my permission, assume you can't use it.
It's simple respect.
"The open AP = permission is not a lie, it's the entire design and purpose of the device. There is no ambiguity."
Loodk at he boards guy, you think these argeuments stem from a lack of ambiguity? Look at REALITY, there is ambiguity and any article on this subject proves you're wrong.
"If everyone has to name their open access point the same, then there is no way for me to tell which one is the access point I want to connect to."
If they're all open, who cares which one you use? And why would you "have to" name it the same thing? "Neutron Cowgirl's ope AP" would work, why would someone else name their AP the same? Both of those arguments are crap.
"Another question: if you assume that an open AP does not imply permission"
I don't assume it, that's how it is. YOU are assuming that it isn't that way.
"what do you do when you want to connect to web servers? "
I ignore hastily constructed posts that rely on crappy analogies. If you can't tell what the difference is between the two subjects you don't belong in this discussion.
"Perhaps a better approach "
Here's THE approach. Don't use shit that you don't have express permission to use. It's not hard, stop making excuses.