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AT&T Accidentally Provides Free Wi-Fi To All

Posted by kdawson on from the no-longer-obscure dept.

SecureThroughObscure writes tells us about a hack broken by MacOSRumors: you can get free Wi-Fi at Starbucks, Barnes & Noble, and other AT&T hotspots if you know how to set your browser's user agent string (trivial on Safari), and know a valid iPhone phone number. ZDNet blogger Nate McFeters gives some more details and links. This can't last.

1 of 249 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Theft by mr_matticus · · Score: 0, Flamebait
    You already received examples. What good are citations going to do you for petty cases? You want citations for everyone who's ever skipped out on a bill at a restaurant and got sued for it? For people who got free cable and got busted? Messing with the PG&E meter?

    Still, here's a couple to whet your indignant curiosity:

    People v. Harden (2007), Case no. C050231
    People v. Bowles (2004), Case no. B171234
    People v. Crossdale (2002), Case no. S097222

    There, some random selections from the first 10 results, all California.

    I seriously doubt that Starbucks or AT&T would risk the negative publicity going after "criminals" like this. So do I, as previously stated. Why 'criminals' is in quotes escapes me, though. No matter how easy to pick the lock is or if you can just go in through the window, it's theft of service.