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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.'"
Ridiculous?
There is a router near my house which is open and on aol, each time i flash my routers firmware it defaults the router to the same id settings. Before my machine will connect to the newly flashed router i have to log on to someone elses box using the default password and change its id, then run my own and change it's id, then log bac in to someone elses to reset it again. I don't know who's it is and am past caring. But, If I did not log on to this rogue router to mess with the settings i would not be able to set up my own.