RE: WIRELESS THEFT

[Jay DeSotel <jay () interl net>]

On 18 Oct 2002, ONEILL David J wrote:

> How is using radio waves that are intruding into you purchased property
> different than me paying for moving my giant screen tv out into the
> front yard and showing the world pay-for-view movies that I purchased.
> None.  I paid for the service, which is using bandwidth on the cable
> system, and I am not charging others to watch the movie.  But I am also
> not preventing other from watching.

Well, I might be wrong, but when you purchase a PPV movie, there is a
disclaimer saying that public display is not allowed, or something along
those lines. Anyway though, from a legal view, it does not matter if it is
ethernet or RF. Common sense should tell you that you should not be using
it, since you are not paying for it. I have never been one to follow along
with the "feign ignorance", and pretend we didnt know, approach.

> If is strange though, the only ones that have a problem with this are
> people that have vested interests in getting into the pockets of the
> innocent - WISPs and tel com folks.

Who else is there to have a problem with it? ;-). Like I said in my
previous email, they can very easliy prevent this from being an issue.
You will have a hard time convincing anyone that you didnt know you were
using a service that you were not paying for, to gain internet access.

Bottom line, the original person who posted answered his own question
really. You know you are not supposed to be using it. If you get caught,
will you be in trouble? Maybe. Can they put you in jail? Maybe. Is it
worth the risk? No.

Just my $.02 ;-).

--
Jay DeSotel
Systems Administrator
InterLink L.C.
<jay () interl net>
Voice-(319)524-2895
Fax-(319)524-3175
> If is strange though, the only ones that have a problem with this are people
> that have vested interests in getting into the pockets of the innocent - WISPs
> and tel com folks.
>
> Things that make you go hummmm.
>
> David J. O'Neill
> NEDSS - IS7
> Parkway Bldg., 2nd Floor
> Phone: (503) 378-2101 ext. 364
> FAX:     (503) 378-2102
>
> > > > jay () interl net 10/18/02 02:53PM >>>
> I would have to agree with a previous post. Once you use a single bit of
> their bandwithto the world, it would be theft of service. If you simply
> use the network to play games with the guy next door, no problem.
>
> I work for a WISP, and have run into these issues before. I think what it
> comes down to really, is that they can prevent this, either they
> dont feel the need, or dont know how.
>
> --
> Jay DeSotel
> Systems Administrator
> InterLink L.C.
> <jay () interl net>
> Voice-(319)524-2895
> Fax-(319)524-3175
>
> On Thu, 17 Oct 2002, Ashcraft, Brian S (Contractor) wrote:
>
> > Let me just throw my .02 in here.  I am not a lawyer, so I may be wrong.
> >
> > I have to believe that some where along the line, the cable companies End
> > User License Agreement is being broken.  They may have worked a deal with
> > the local cable company to provide cable to the residents as part of their
> > rental agreement.  However, I have to believe that this deal is exclusive to
> > them.  Your interception and use of the signal (as a non-resident) may
> > infringe on this contract between the two companies.  My guess is,
> > technically, you are breaching the EULA of the cable company, which may (or
> > may not) open you up to legal troubles.
> >
> > Then again, I could be wrong :)
> >
> > Luck,
> >
> > -b-
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Johannes Ullrich [mailto:jullrich () euclidian com]
> > Sent: Wednesday, October 16, 2002 1:49 PM
> > To: Amit P. Gandre; security-basics () securityfocus com
> > Subject: Re: WIRELESS THEFT
> >
> >
> > > Hi
> > >  Can someone tell me if there are any laws regarding wireless
> > > theft?
> >
> > I don't think Congress has caught up with this yet. But from what
> > I hear (usual disclaimer: INAL), you are free to pick up the
> > signal as long as you are not breaking any WEP or other login
> > restriction. Its kind of like CB radio. Everyone can legally listening
> > to you chatting on CB radio.
> >
> >
> > --
> > --------------------------------------------------------------------
> > jullrich () euclidian com             Collaborative Intrusion Detection
> >                                          join http://www.dshield.org