Ethical question (vanity)

[djf]

OK, here's the deal. I have an older Linksys WPC11 wireless card that was surplused from a company I occasional do some work at. I also just got done doing some experimenting with Windows XP. I was never able to get any good results with the card under Win2K or Win/ME.

So I plugged the card into the XP machine. It installed the software. Then it said a link was available, so I connected.

Somebody out there has an unsecured wireless net up. So my question:

Should I be an unrepentant scoundrel and use the link? Link speeds varied between 1 and 2.5 MPS... or...

Should I be an ethical dweeb type and continue paying my ISP for a measly 24.6K dialup?

[djf]

Well, I'm aware of the security implications, I have Firewall software, and I don't have any credit cards so couldn't type a CC# in anyways!

Is there any way to find out if this is really some kind of public network or somebodies individual setup?

My wireless background is nil.

[stainlessbanner]

Most communities don't have open access hotspots - it's likely one of your neighbors' unsecured systems.

[djf]

Looks as if the wireless router itself is secured, I have yet to check Network Neighborhood.

Guess if I use it I'll have to make sure all file sharing is disabled.

To be honest, since I have never had broadband, I never do anything that might use up the bandwidth, just wondering what people thought.

[stainlessbanner]

I think it's considered "unethical". Leaving your front door wide open does not mean it's ok for folks to come in take your furniture, though it may be foolish to leave your door open. I followed a few cases awhile back - they are still going through the court systems.

The owner of the network must show he/she has taken appropriate steps to secure the network to prevent intrusion, illegal activities, etc.

[djf]

With all the new housing developments going up around here, I wasn't sure it wasn't something set uo for general access.

Odd I guess. Not like I borrowed my neighbors lawnmower when he was at work, mowed my lawn, then put it back without asking.
And I'm the sort of fellow who, if the kid behind the counter gives me back 10 dollars extra after I fill up, I give it back to him!

And without knowing who or where the network originates from, it's not like I can ask if I could do some kind of subscription.

Actually a buddy of mine knows a couple people who have set up high speed wireless nets and then charged their neighbors for access.

[boycottliberalhollywood.com]

How ethical is it to use somebody else's unsecured network without their permission? No less ethical than your next door neighbor making a long distance call to Tibet using his wireless phone that happens to pick up your wireless phone's base station...

[Dallas59]

Get rid of the card! I had the same problem after about a year of service. Wouldn't pick up the signal. Router was fine. I tried everything, Un-install, re-install ( wouldn't un-install and support was NO help.)

Went and bought a Netgear card. Took all of 5 minutes and I was surfing. All the info, WEP key and whatever went in fine. Linksys cards are crud. Their router is fine.

[Dallas59]

OOPS! I let my emotions of that waste of 5 hours get a hold of me when I saw the the Linksys card mentioned. Maybe you should be a good Samaritan and try to contact the person about their security problem.